Smaller classes help teachers stay in control and allow them to give students the individual help they need to succeed, which makes the classroom better for everyone. Finally, we must improve school climate and student discipline - the biggest single reason new graduates don't take jobs in Philadelphia. Teachers can't teach when a few troubled students are permitted to remain in classrooms where they curse, threaten and assault students and staff. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that without qualified teachers, trained in the subject they are assigned to teach, the early progress we have made raising reading and math scores will end. With well-crafted legislation and supportive school board policies, we can make teaching in Philadelphia more attractive and reap large dividends for our children and our community.
Every child deserves a trained and qualified teacher.
Let's enact laws and policies that make it happen. Ted Kirsch is president the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. If you experience any problems with the Daily News Web site, please let us know. Include the date and time of the problem and a brief description.