With performance on state- mandated tests affecting the status and budget of our schools, the district harms itself by ignoring the effects of large classes on test performance. In every classroom, teachers face an enormous range of learning styles, aptitudes, intelligences, learning and behavioral disabilities. Teachers crave the time to attend to students' unique gifts and grieve when they cannot.
Class size is the greatest factor in that irreplaceable, essential ingredient in student growth.
You write that children and parents need to learn patience above all. I was patient for six years before I spoke to your reporter. I wrote to the superintendent and spoke with him a year ago, receiving replies I would call dismissive. Patience has changed nothing. You write that in order to do an effective job, teachers merely need to know what they are talking about.