Woody Guthrie informed us during our other great depression that “California’s a Garden of Eden, a paradise to live in or see, but believe it or not, you won’t find it so hot if you ain’t got the do re mi.”
This article from Bakersfield’s paper Monday highlights how the average district class size of 37 predicted for this year stands in stark contrast to local private schools. “Private schools, which charge thousands of dollars in tuition, continue to make low class size a priority.” I highlight in my book how class and school size are the only real advantages of private schools.
Juxtapose this with the same paper’s article from the day before that interviews “can do” teachers who say it won’t be a big deal to have bigger classes. “Sure, they’d rather teach fewer kids, they say, but they’ll make it work.” “It’s just going to take more time and preparation on my part,” says one. Oh. I guess I don’t get where the no big deal part comes in then. It will be as simple as just more and harder work!
Here is some more “make it work” testimony:
“The key to success in a bigger class is organization and creativity, like dividing students into small groups and inviting parents or other teachers to help with the rotating stations.” Oh, just get unpaid adults to help you do the “same” job.
“I just feel that teachers are so resourceful and so proactive and so caring about their students — they will find a way, regardless of circumstances, to meet the needs of their pupils.” The martyrdom argument.
“They still got the one-on-one (individual attention), they just didn’t get as much.” Um, yeah, that’s the point.
“Maberry said there actually are advantages to larger classes: more diversity and more opportunity for parent volunteers.” Is there more diversity in a one pound bag of M&Ms as opposed to a vending-machine-sized bag? And the parent thing is brilliant: reduce the number of adults with the kids so more adults will come to be with the kids.
I have a class of 42 right now, so I’m entitled to a little sarcasm. Ain’t I?
