Increased class sizes for next year
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Anonymous
| Sorry if this has already been discussed but we were notified the maximum class sizes for MCPS are increasing next year. The letter specifically discussed elementary school class sizes so I don’t know if this is happening in MS and HS. This is going to result in really huge 4th and 5th grade classes at our school and the loss of a 5th grade class (at least). I am floored that they can just decide to increase maximums like this and I had no idea this was being discussed. I am going to write a letter, even though it’s probably useless since this appears to be totally done. I am surprised more people don’t appear upset about this. Class sizes were already quite large. Am I missing something? |
Anonymous
| You're late to the party. It did happen to MS and HS. There won't be any reversing this decision, it's how the board is making up part of the Budget gap. |
Anonymous
| Rally today Veteran's plaza 4:30pm |
Anonymous
| We voted people onto the BOE whose priority isn't the students. Many of us have known this for a long time. If these class size increases have't made it abundantly clear to everyone else by now, then we deserve this. |
Anonymous
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I received this after signing the petition related to class size increases:
Thank you for signing the petition in opposition to the use of a class size increase to address the budget shortfall. To date, 2,356 individuals have signed the petition on ActionNetwork! Based on conversations with stakeholders, I understand that the only feasible way for MCPS to address the shortfall without increasing class size is for the County Council to provide a supplemental appropriation to MCPS. It will be a tall lift to persuade the Council to provide this funding, after it has finalized its operational budget for FY 2025. The only shot to obtain a supplemental appropriation is to put enormous pressure on the Council to act. Therefore, I urge you to write or call councilmembers this weekend through Monday to urge them to provide a supplemental appropriation to MCPS so that MCPS can adopt a budget that does not require an increase in class size. I have copied their e-mail addresses and phone numbers below. An e-mail to councilmembers can be as short as 2-3 sentences. Below is an outline you could follow. The more you personalize your e-mail or voicemessage, the more persuasive you will be. “I urge you to provide a supplemental appropriation to MCPS so that MCPS does not need to increase class size in order to address their budget shortfall. “We need to decrease—not increase—class sizes, which are already too large. Under MCPS’s proposed one-student-per-class increase, some elementary schools are losing a teacher in a grade, which means four classes are being reduced to three classes. For students in those grades, they will have several more students in their class. “Studies demonstrate that smaller class sizes result in higher achievement. Most elementary classrooms are heterogenous, and the needs of students in these classrooms vary significantly, from students needing remedial instruction, to on-grade-level students, to students who qualify for enrichment. The existing large class sizes at the elementary level make it exceedingly difficult for teachers to provide differentiated instruction. An increase in class size will make it even more difficult for teachers to meet the needs of all students in their classrooms. “There is a similar detrimental impact in middle and high schools that lose teachers and see expanded class sizes. [Explain, in 1-2 or more sentences, the situation at your child’s school.] [If your school will not be losing teachers, say that, because it shows that you care about all students’ experiences.] Thank you for your advocacy! |
Anonymous
| I think my kid has 5 classes per his grade in ES. I am not sure if class size, but I believe it is 20-24 kids. I hope it will stay at 5 classes next school year. |
Anonymous
That is small. Wish that was the number at every school. |
Anonymous
| Can you pls share the petition? |
Anonymous
Why here, and not in Rockville outside the school district building? |
Anonymous
You are leaving the funder, the county council, and the county exec, off the hook for their role in ensuring larger class sizes. |
Anonymous
20-24 is pretty normal. Average elementary school class size in MCPS is 18 kids. Only 7% are bigger than 25. |
Anonymous
If I understand the email we got correctly, 5th grade classes can be up to 31 students. With the new max we are losing a class, so going from numbers like yours to the max for every class. I would not assume your classes will stay small. |
Anonymous
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They’re officially only adding one student per class so doesn’t sound like a lot.
My neighbor teaches 8th grade Spanish though and says she already got 36 kids in one of her classes. That’s easily 10 kids to many imo. |
Anonymous
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I think I found the petition for those interested
https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/urge-montgomery-county-board-of-education-not-to-increase-class-size |