[Winona Online Democracy] Dwayne has clearly articulated his concerns about increasing class sizes. His thoughts are probably being echoed by other teachers in the high school. Looking at class sizes from a systemic point of view leads me down yet another avenue and raises additional concerns:
In a school system with declining or (at the high school) stable or slightly increasing enrollment one needs to ask also what the increase in class size - when caused by staff reductions - means to the overall scheduling issue - an issue that has come to light recently. Seems to me that cutting positions, which increases class sizes, would naturally result in a significant increase in single section classes. Large numbers of single section classes make any kind of scheduling system ( 4, 5, 6, or 7 period) nearly impossible to work with. How has that value changed in Dwayne's 10 years? How many single section classes are in the schedule today compared with 1995 (in total and as a percentage of the entire schedule)? Moreover, how have these values changed since the block schedule was implemented? Is there an identified range of single section classes as a percentage of the entire schedule that is considered optimum? If so, how does this optimum percentage vary with the type of schedule being used? It is necessary for certain small programs like foreign language to schedule single sections. It is also necessary for some larger programs like band to schedule single section classes. As single section classes grow in numbers, however, students are hurt in at least two ways: (1) less efficient use of teaching and learning time within each class and (2) an increased likelihood of scheduling issues - for instance difficult or impossible scheduling of sequential classes. -Leslie Hittner ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dwayne and Denine Voegeli" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "E Democracy" <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, December 27, 2005 12:38 AM Subject: Fw: [Winona] You Know Class Sizes Are Too Big At the HighSchoolWhen... > [Winona Online Democracy] > > I would love to see a numerical analysis done on my average or mean class > sizes now as compared to when I first started teaching 10 years ago. > > In addition to any kind of number crunching, I think another useful tool for > comparison sake would be to somehow line up how many students I had at one > time 10 years ago with how many students I have at one time today. > > The numbers would tell part of the story but I think a picture of how those > numbers translate into human beings would be even more instructive. > > To say my teaching "load" has increased by 20-25-30% and maybe even more > over the short ten years in which I've been teaching is one thing. > > To see that those numbers and percentages are kids is another thing. > > And again, the main point in all this is that our School District needs more > teachers, administrators, and maintenance staff right away. Not after > audits, surveys, and other obtuse studies are created. It is our most > pressing need. It is what affects the kids most directly and most often. > > Dwayne Voegeli > > Dec. 26, 2005 > > ============= > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "jjs" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Sunday, December 25, 2005 2:56 PM > Subject: Re: [Winona] You Know Class Sizes Are Too Big At the High > SchoolWhen... > > > > [Winona Online Democracy] > > > > I had to chuckle good naturedly when I read Dwayne Voegeli's letter. Yes, > > it is interesting. > > > > In a count from about ten years ago, the most common females names were > > Mary, Patricia and Linda, and for males they were James, John and Robert. > > How did we ever cope? > > > > But I've a serious question. Dwayne's class is large by former standards, > > but is his count typical? What is the mean? That would be an interesting > > figure. > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy > > All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. > > No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. > > To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit > > http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona > > Any problems or suggestions can be directed to > > mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected > > officials, go to the Contact page at > > http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org > > > > > > -- > > No virus found in this incoming message. > > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > > Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 267.14.5/212 - Release Date: 12/23/2005 > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy > All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. > No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. > To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit > http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona > Any problems or suggestions can be directed to > mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at > http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org > _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
