More Proof Class Size Matters





The Tai Chi class begins at 10:15.  At that time, usually 15 people are present.  It is hard to park in the area and many are late.  At 10:15 the class has lots of room to spread out.  It is easy to see the teacher and it is easy for her to see us and to correct our mistakes.

By 10:30 the class is full.  There are 35 bodies moving.  Although the teacher moves around, it is often hard to see her and to follow her movements.  She still walks around and helps but not everyone gets this assistance.

Small classes work!

On Being Back



Today was my first day back at Packemin.  In case you are wondering, I didn't rescind my retirement.  The community college gives a course to high school students on the Packemin campus (campus in the loosest sense of the word possible) and I have been teaching it for years.  Since change is not something I am good at, I figured keeping the class would be a good way to ease out gradually.

I had mixed feelings walking into the building today.  A couple of people were surprised to see me so I had to explain why I was back.   I loved my class, but I always love that class.  Walcott should  know, but won't admit that part of its success is its cap at 25 students.  The kids, while motivated, are not always the brightest and some have to be prodded to make it on time to period 1.  But, with 25, it is easy to keep tabs on all of them.  And, since we don't have any uniform exams, it is easy to let the kids lead the way, spend more time on the things that interest them and just let them enjoy learning the math.  It is always a class in which fun and learning go hand in hand.

Last year's dysfunctional algebra kids, surprised to see me, gave me the warmest greeting ever.  K, who did not pass hugged me so hard I thought I would break.  (Last year, she let no one touch her.)  A proudly told me he is taking intermediate algebra.  I was so proud of him for working hard and overcoming his math deficiencies and I told him the new class would help prepare him for college.  T came by to bitch, something she does well, and to hear my latest comments on her recent weave.  (Last year I let her know every time it was tacky.)  H told me about her new sister.  I lived through her mom's pregnancy and was happy to hear all went well and the baby was female, as H had more brothers than she wanted.

The best part of the day was saying goodbye at 8:30 when the class ended and leaving for the day.  I don't have to carrying the world on my back anymore.  I don't have to worry about statistics or behavior problems or administrators peering in my room.  I don't have to listen to someone who doesn't know the first thing about teaching telling me how to teach.

I have a feeling I am going to really enjoy being back in this way.

The Corporate Whore



I recommend listening to last night's South Bronx podcast of Leonie Haimson and Matthew Chingos on class size.  Leonie is fantastic.  She had her facts and used them to push  for smaller classes, something she knows is necessary for the children everywhere, particularly children from the inner city.

Chingos let it be known loud and clear that smaller classes were not worth the money they cost.  He discounted success stories with smaller classes as anectdotes that mean nothing.  He had no answer for why private schools and suburban schools have smaller classes. 

So, it all comes down to money and the children of NYC are not worth the money it would take to educate them properly.  Children learning in a smaller group has been proven to be effective but he would rather take the money that could be used for this and put it somewhere else.  Perhaps Chingos should try living in a house made of cardboard.  This will be much more cost effective than the brick and steel structure he probably resides in.  If it doesn't hold up, he can always try something else.  And, he did manage to save a few bucks along the way.

Class Size Matters

Nine kids showed up for tutoring this morning, not a big turnout, but a worthwhile one.  A group of ESL girls, girls who have only been in this country a little over a year showed up.  And, while I don't speak Chinese,  sitting with them, explaining with words and pictures and then letting them explain to each other made a big difference in what they knew coming in versus what they knew when they left.

Yesterday I had the pleasure of talking to Leonie Haimson from Classsizematters.org and I only thought about my lowest level kids and how smaller classes would benefit them.  Today I saw how smaller classes would really help all kids.

Millions of dollars are being spent on technology and methods to evaluate teachers.  Nothing is being spent to lower class size.  Thank goodness for people like Leonie who work non stop to try to get the children of NY what they really need.