| Remember the survey we all took
last June, (district parents, teachers and administrators) on our reactions to first year
of class size reduction? Those completed surveys, developed by the San Diego County Office
of Education, have been analyzed and the Encinitas community overwhelmingly rates this new
program with extremely high scores and with definite support for continuing. Throughout the district class size was reduced to 20 students per
teacher in grades one, two and three. The program was implemented full day in grade one
for the entire year and half day in grades two and three until February when it was
expanded to full day. (At the time of the survey, kindergarten class size reduction had
not yet been implemented see related article below.)
According to the survey results, 89 percent of parents saw
an improvement in their child's reading ability, 91 percent stated their children were
much improved in the area of writing, and 92 percent felt their children increased their
mathematical understanding.
Parents also stated that another effect of class size
reduction was an increase in their children's ability to talk and express thoughts more
clearly. Children in smaller classes have more opportunity for speaking and sharing as
well as individual attention. "it enables me to have more personal contact with each
child, thus making more effective assessment possible, "stated a Flora Vista teacher.
Teachers increased small group instruction by 90 percent
and individual instruction improved by 93 percent. A Park Dale Lane teacher stated "I
am able to meet with each child every day. I can provide more individualized instruction
to meet the needs of each child."
The smaller numbers also resulted in better discipline as
all three groups, parents, teachers and principals reported improved discipline, better
student to student interactions, and improved student/teacher interactions. Flora Vista
principal Gail Patterson summed it up this |
way when asked what was the best
part of class size reduction, "I like the calmness and the positive feelings within
the classrooms, there is a positive energy!" Teacher
contacts with parents improved according to 90 percent of the teachers, as teachers were
able to concentrate on a child's academic progress rather than on discipline. Of all the
teachers surveyed 99 percent saw increased academic improvement from all students and
parents mirrored those feelings with 85 percent stating an improvement in their child's
learning.
The question, "What do you like best about class size
reduction?" received many comments such as: "The kids get more one to one
instruction and they learn more at a faster rate," from a Capri parent.
To the question, "What do you like least about class
size reduction?" most responses were in the same vein as this Paul Ecke Central
parent's, "There is nothing negative about class size reduction. We are so delighted
that the state and Encinitas Union School District moved so quickly to make this
happen!"
"What single change would best improve the
effectiveness of class size reduction?" had more varied answers from, "Make sure
there are ample supplies for the extra classes," and "Increase the number of
classrooms at each school," from a La Costa Heights parent, to "Knowing that the
money is going to be there for the long term."
When asked if class size reduction was worth the more than
$1 billion spent on the program throughout California, 96 percent of the parents and 99
percent of teachers and principals responded yes. All of the principals reported support
for not only continuing the program in grades one, two and three, but to expand it as soon
as possible to kindergarten. They also wanted increased state support for facilities.
Having reviewed the survey results, the Board of Trustees
elected to continue for another year and to add kindergarten once the state budget was
finalized. |
