Detroit class size to increase to 61 in secondary, 41 in elementary

[proud2BlibKansan]

New Detroit schools contract allows up to 61 students in grades 6-12

— Class sizes in Detroit Public Schools could get much larger this fall — up to 61 students each in grades 6-12 and 41 students in grades kindergarten through 3 — before school officials take action to level them out.

Under a new three-year contract imposed last week on the teachers' union, DPS will "make reasonable efforts" at reorganizing class sizes for students in K-12 when they exceed contractual limits.

In grades K-3, the class maximum is 25. But under the new contract with the Detroit Federation of Teachers, which took effect July 1, a class would need to reach 41 students before DPS moves to reduce it.

In grades 4-5, where 30 is the limit, it would take 46 students to trigger a response. In grades 6-12, where class sizes were increased to 35, leveling efforts would begin once the class reaches 61 students.



From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120713/SCHOOLS/207130335#ixzz20XQCoXbC

[Ruby the Liberal]

1. Holy wow.

I hope they can get some parent TAs in there. Those numbers are off the charts.

[roguevalley]

13. I've had 36 tops and it becomes an ordeal for everyone. this is shit. I remember my

partner in kindergarten got a baby from Oklahoma who was in a class of 97. He should have been able to read by late spring when he came and he would have in her class. He would only recognize and read K and E, the first two letters of his name. Kiss Detroit goodbye. This is the death of that system.

[Lionessa]

2. That's ridiculous. Even 30 is pushin' it. Holey Swiss Cheese!

Americans are ruining the country, and yet the only enemy "we" see are the ones over there.

[Scootaloo]

3. That's staggering

And i'm wagering the union doesn't have the capital or support for a well-deserved strike. Jesus christ. sixty one kids?

Whoever wrote this contract needs to be beaten with a hose.

[Bozita]

7. The DFT contract was imposed on the union last week. There were no negotiations.

It's an Emergency Financial Manager prerogative.

[Lionessa]

4. Came back to remember to Rec, so may as well kick too.

[rsdsharp]

5. I'm right in the middle of the baby boomer generation.

Lots of kids meant larger class sizes. Half day kindergarten and two first grade sections decreased class size, but beginning in second grade my elementary classes typically had about 35 students -- too many but it seemed to work. Junior high and high school classes were smaller.

41 kids in a class in elementary school is way too many, and 61 in middle and high school is just crazy. Apparently they don't care whether anybody learns anything, so long as they don't have to pay more teachers.

[beveeheart]

6. Today's average is yesterday's very large

The largest class I ever had was 36 7th graders in the late 60's. At the end of year awards ceremony the principal acknowledged me for my extraordinary patience and sense of humor. What with teaching to the tests, buying their own supplies, union busting, lesson plans needing approval, etc. etc, it's a wonder anyone stays in teaching. Today's teachers have my respect and admiration for their devotion to their students.

[theaocp]

8. Don't forget to differentiate!

Kids all have different learning styles, you know?

[gollygee]

9. Wow. The teachers will just be doing crowd control with that many kids.

There's only so much learning that will happen with that many kids in one room.

[sadbear]

10. This is what can happen when states are in charge of education

Education needs to be federalized, at least on some level, to prevent this shit from happening.

[Quantess]

11. How does this elevate children beyond a pack of wild dogs?

And what kind of mortal human being can seriously be expected to effectively teach such a huge classroom?

[MissB]

12. My oldest just finished at his K-8 school.

The youngest will be in 8th grade this year. They've attended this school since kindergarten.

Oldest has 11 kids total in kindergarten. Just him and ten other kids. The following year, the youngest had 17, which seemed like ALOT more.

Biggest class they've had is 25. All through.

The teachers have time to differentiate instruction, get into great conversations, do fabulous projects and just generally have an amazing grade school experience.

You cannot fucking do that with 40+ kids in kindergarten. Holy crap. Those kids are getting shafted.

[xmas74]

14. I posted a comment at the site

There was some discussion behind my comment, all calm and no namecalling. This morning I find that it's all been deleted.

I'm guessing one of the people (specifically, someone calling everyone who doesn't agree with him morons) complained.

[Octafish]

15. Well, the parents can always send them to Charter Schools.

The money, er, kids will be welcomed.

Not