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BACK to Grapevine HOME | Shen HOME CLASS SIZES
Posted on August 30, 2010 What are the limits for class size at the elementary grade levels? Is there a state law about teacher-student ratio?
Posted on September 15, 2010 I don't understand why some parents are so upset about class sizes. I remember having 30 kids in my class and no aide and we all did fine. Does NYS education dept have any rule or guideline as to what is a fair class size? I am not prepared to have my school taxes double just to hire more teachers and build new classrooms so that each classroom has under 20 students.
Posted on June 5, 2008 Are there class size limits at Shen? If so what are they for ES, MS and HS?
According to Board of Education Policy: The district strives to establish and maintain class sizes for each elementary grade at the mid-point of each of the following ranges:
At the secondary level, all attempts shall be made to maintain reasonable teacher-pupil ratios in all courses.
Posted on October 28, 2008 Under what circumstance would an elementary classroom be allowed to exceed the maximum number of students as stated in the district policy? My daughter's third grade class at Arongen has just grown to 27 students.
Once school starts, we typically do not add an additional class if enrollments grow above the maximum or take away a class if enrollments shrink below the minimum. The numbers are a guide used for staffing and determining the number of classes for each grade level over the summer. When enrollments go above the maximum during the year, the administration takes into consideration the make-up of the class, the teacher, the grade level, and the availability of other support to determine how to respond.
Posted on June 25, 2008 I heard that my child's first grade class is going to be quite large this year, how do I find out if this is true?
The initial figures for classes are provided to schools for internal planning purposes only. Shenendehowa always has a large number of students moving in and moving out during the summer. These numbers could change all summer long. Let's remember that class sizes are monitored throughout the summer and nothing is finalized until the end of August.
Posted on June 25, 2008 Why is there such inconsistency among schools? Why is the district not trying to make these numbers more balanced and consistent?
FIRST: The initial figures for classes are provided to schools for internal planning purposes only. Shenendehowa always has a large number of students moving in and moving out during the summer. These numbers could change all summer long. Let's remember that class sizes are monitored throughout the summer and nothing is finalized until August. The Board of Education changed the class size policy and lowered the target class size guidelines by two students a few years ago. As for consistency across elementary schools, it will never be achieved because we have set boundaries. If the district were able to move children between elementary schools from year to year, we would be able to make class sizes consistent. However, that is not something the community would support. Most people like their schools and do not want their children to switch. That is why the board policy lists a class size range.
Posted on August 29, 2008 What can we do as concerned parents and tax payers to change the "recommended class sizes"?
The class size guidelines are Board of Education policy. To change them would require a vote by the majority of the board. Over the past several years, the board has revised the class size guidelines reducing the maximum number. |
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