I've never been terribly sympathetic about the class size issue. Teachers here like to present current class sizes as historically unusual but they're not. Classes were large when I was in school.
Well, 42 (the highest levels I've had at a high school level) is about pushing it to the max. Since the normal class period is 53 min, that means as a rule each student gets 1.3 min of my attention if I teach nothing and devote all my time to the students. Doesn't sound like a plan for success.
This year they have coughed up the bucks for more teachers, so my average class is running 33. Waaaaay better.
PS High was not all that big back in my day. Largest class would have been 20.
42 is too many. When I was in school it was 30-32 except for my special Gr 7 class of 25. Now, it's capped at 30 and although many classes have more it's usually 1 more. The average is well below 30. Too many special needs kids per class is the problem.
I don't get the official list on the special needs/English learners until about next week, when the dust settles. At which point I shake my head and go, yeah that one, figured that out, ta. But this one isn't?
Since I am the go-to math teacher for these populations, these are my people.
Comments 8
Sitting on the floor would be a bit much--I like having a desk to write on. A notebook open in my lap isn't quite as good.
Reply
Reply
Reply
This year they have coughed up the bucks for more teachers, so my average class is running 33. Waaaaay better.
PS High was not all that big back in my day. Largest class would have been 20.
Reply
Reply
Since I am the go-to math teacher for these populations, these are my people.
Reply
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment