Wyoming Education Association

Winter 2017

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19 Everyone knows that smaller class sizes cost more money; they require more rooms in a building and more teachers to staff them. More aides may be needed, and the increased number of sections per grade causes scheduling challenges. However, ask any parent – would you rather have your child in a class of 15 or of 25? – and the answer is always for the smaller class. What do parents know that others may not? •"In a smaller class, my child will get more attention from the teacher." •"The smaller the class, the fewer discipline problems." •"Small classes allow teachers to give more one-on-one instruction to students." •"In small classes it is less likely that my student will fall through the cracks." •"A small class allows the teacher to get to know the students better, and allows the parents to get to know the teacher." Although it is more expensive, the payoff is clear: smaller classes lead to a better school experience for students, especially in grades K-3. In these grades, students are making social and emotional adjustments to school; they are learning basic principles in reading and math which establish the foundation for future learning; and learning difficulties are identified and addressed before students fall behind their peers. If classes are too large at these grades, the likelihood of low achievement in any or all these areas is increased. What parents may not know, but research confirms, is that small class sizes bring an abundance of highly desired qualities to an education system. •A school system that supports small class sizes attracts the best and the brightest in the teaching profession. •Small class sizes allow teachers to implement creative and highly individualized teaching practices, which support student improvement and success. •If small classes are supported, other educational priorities are likely to be well-supported by the district or state. •Teachers who work in a school with small classes often have more time to collaborate, leading to more informed and reflective instruction. •Teaching in a small class creates favorable and highly desirable work conditions. At the most recent meeting of the Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration, consultants Augenblick, Palaich, and Associates (APA) made a preliminary recommendation of class sizes of 16:1 in grades K-3 and 23:1 for grades 4-12, which is an overall average of 17:1 (includes instructional facilitators). This is an increase from the current average of 16:1 at elementary and 21:1 at secondary. For every single increase to the overall average student/teacher ratio, funding decreases by approximately $15 million, or the equivalent elimination of approximately 100 teachers, which would have a tremendous impact on the quality of education delivered to our students. These recommendations stem largely from the consultants' conversations with both the professional judgement panels (PJP's) convened around the state and what they observed in the twelve successful schools they visited in the fall. As Senator Chris Rothfuss (D, Laramie) pointed out, little of this is based in research, and the impact of these increases could be far-reaching. WEA calls for the recalibration process to include research-based decisions that do not undermine the quality of education our children receive. We call for a funding model that honors both successful schools and the professional judgment of educators across the state. We call for an equitable system that gives every student, "from Sundance to Laramie," the high- quality education Wyomingites expect and deserve, including small classes, one-on-one instructional opportunities, and a strong foundation in grades K-3. For more information on class size, please visit www.classsizematters.org. Tammy Schroeder, Government Relations Director, tschroeder@wyoea.org Legislative Action Class Size Matters ! "For every single increase to the overall average student/ teacher ratio, funding decreases by approximately $15 million, or the equivalent elimination of approximately 100 teachers..."

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