Re: Moscow School District budget cuts

[Relene Johnson <relene@turbonet.com>]

My son cannot attend the public schools due to class size.  I tried to
mainstream him in 2nd grade and he was immediately labeled ADHD by teachers,
counselors, etc., at the school he was attending.  The doctor recommended by the
school could not validity the ADHD claim, and recommended sending him back to
the private school (Giant Steps) where class sizes are much smaller.  I'm not
blaming the teachers, counselors, etc.  Although they are well intentioned and
try hard to meet the needs of all students, with one teacher to 25-30 students,
educators cannot be effective in teaching children falling above and below the
student norms.  I'm happy to report that my son flourishes at Giant Steps, and
without drugs.

Relene Johnson

Sue Hovey wrote:

> Steve, this was the STAR Program in Tennessee.  It was well documented and
> the data revealed that children in grades 1 - 3 (the only ones the study
> used) significantly benefit from classes of under 15 or fewer.  There were
> several configerations--more students and 2 teachers, more students and a
> teacher and an aide, etc.  The results were dramatic (particularly with
> literacy) and the Tennessee effort continues because of that study which was
> done a decade ago or more.  Because STAR was so successful several other
> states took serious steps to ensure not more than 15 students in grades K-3
> on a statewide basis.  Idaho legislation passed to set a level of 20 per
> primary class, but that was never a mandate and it is no longer even a
> legislative goal.  Indiana was one which did set a specific mandate and  I
> believe that program also continues.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Steve Cooke <scooke@uidaho.edu>
> To: <jdanahy@turbonet.com>
> Cc: Vision2020 Listserver (E-mail) <vision2020@moscow.com>
> Sent: Monday, April 26, 1999 11:49 AM
> Subject: RE: Moscow School District budget cuts
>
> > John,
> >  In the 20 April issue of the New York Times business section, there is a
> > story on a Princeton economist who has shown that small class size in the
> > first four grades makes a significant difference in students performance
> > for the rest of their life. The analysis is based on a program in
> Tennessee
> > to reduce class sizes.
> >  This study suggests that teacher cuts at the higher grades are better
> than
> > ones at the lower levels. I say this as a parent with sons in the 5th and
> > 12th grade next year.
> > Steve Cooke
> >
> >