Less money, less teachers but not less students! This is an equation with a bad ending. It means our students will receive less of our time and thus less of an education.
When the year first began I wasn’t really worried about the issue of class size. I knew it was an important issue, one that certainly needed to be tackled, but it was not one of the many issues I was concerning myself with when it came time to thinking about my own teaching. I wasn’t even considering the possibility that I’d have 36 students in two of my double period classes.
When I received my class rosters my stomach dropped. I was truly shocked to find that I had been given such a large number of students. Especially in a course that is designed for instruction with 20-25 students. When I looked at the next roster I was doubly shocked. Again, I had 36 students listed.
Not only is this illegal, but it seems nearly impossible that I can teach all of these students at once. How can I devote even a minute of my time to assist one student when I have nearly 33 other students floating around my room engaged yes, but in probably anything but learning!
I was so excited about all the projects and lessons that I had planned for the upcoming year. Now, I am worried that all I am going to be doing is constantly trying to quiet, control and baby sit my students. When I came home and complained to my boyfriend about this, his response was complacent. He asked, “Is that a lot?”
To the general public, to those not in a classroom, but in charge of our schools, does a 34 to 1 ratio not seem wrong? Apparently not.
I spoke with my AP regarding this matter and found that she could be of no assistance. Her initial response was to inform me that one or two of these students would be dropped and that some others would surely “test out.” I find it odd that a school would even put so many students on a roster when it is known to be against our contract. It all seems so logical in my mind – create another course to alleviate the numbers. That would necessitate another teacher however, and that, I guess is something we are in need of, but have no money to hire. My AP explained, that “it’s what the city does.”
Is it the city? Is it the Chancellor? Who is ultimately to blame for this problem that occurs in nearly every city school? Why is there just not even space for our students?
It’s an awful thing to say as a teacher, but for my own sanity and for the benefit of my students I almost hope that half my students don’t show. 34, 35, or 36, regardless of the exact number, it is way to absurd for any teacher, whether veteran or not, to be expected to educate all of these students at once.
Well now, four weeks into the year, I have gotten to know the 36 names on my roster. I can put a face to nearly all those names- and I can almost pronounce them all too! It hasn’t been nearly as bad as I thought it would be. The classes are very large and I have already become inundated with papers, but it doesn’t feel out of control when we’re all in the classroom together, as I thought it would. I’m overly tired at the end of the day and rarely left with time to read the stack of essays, double entry diaries and homework’s that I want to.
What’s sad is that I really want to read almost every one, especially at this point in the year. I need to assess in order to help at all. For more purposes then just assessing however, I want to learn about my students. It’s amazing the insights you get as a teacher, into the lives of your students. Large class sizes don’t allow for teachers to get to know their students; they don’t allow for teachers to instruct any individuals independently, as many students would truly benefit from.
The sizes have been lowered to 33 and 32, but it’s still a lot. I’m feeling highly encouraged however. This year been nothing but great thus far and I intend to do the best I can with what I’ve got.
