It saddens me that Whitman PTA leaders support increasing class sizes for the youngest and lowest income students

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tough. Giving it to the endless demands from those at schools like Einstein shouldn't come at the expense of ever-increasing class sizes at Whitman.

Or...now follow, here...or, we could adequately fund schools so that we have no unreasonable student-teacher ratios at any school AND even lower class sizes wherever the instructional demands would require that, whether from characteristics of the student cohort or from the nature of the program/subject/curriculum, in order best to ensure that each student in each class at each school has a reasonably equivalent learning experience in relation to their need/ability.

But that isn't amenable to a short, catchy phrase like, "Read my lips: 'No new taxes!'"

[Anonymous]

I don’t have a dog in this fight but this doesn’t strike me as unusual? They are listing their priorities as a cluster - I am assuming each other cluster had the chance to submit a letter and submitted one that outlined *their* priorities as a cluster.

If this letter had advocated for class size changes at other schools I am guessing some commenters would be up in arms complaining that Whitman was trying to decide what was best for their school. Can’t win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have a dog in this fight but this doesn’t strike me as unusual? They are listing their priorities as a cluster - I am assuming each other cluster had the chance to submit a letter and submitted one that outlined *their* priorities as a cluster.

If this letter had advocated for class size changes at other schools I am guessing some commenters would be up in arms complaining that Whitman was trying to decide what was best for their school. Can’t win.

They are advocating for Taylor's class size recommendations which include class size increases for the youngest poorest students. It may not strike you as unusual but as a Whitman alum I am mortified.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tough. Giving it to the endless demands from those at schools like Einstein shouldn't come at the expense of ever-increasing class sizes at Whitman.

Or...now follow, here...or, we could adequately fund schools so that we have no unreasonable student-teacher ratios at any school AND even lower class sizes wherever the instructional demands would require that, whether from characteristics of the student cohort or from the nature of the program/subject/curriculum, in order best to ensure that each student in each class at each school has a reasonably equivalent learning experience in relation to their need/ability.

But that isn't amenable to a short, catchy phrase like, "Read my lips: 'No new taxes!'"

MCPS is more than adequately funded. It's mismanaged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have a dog in this fight but this doesn’t strike me as unusual? They are listing their priorities as a cluster - I am assuming each other cluster had the chance to submit a letter and submitted one that outlined *their* priorities as a cluster.

If this letter had advocated for class size changes at other schools I am guessing some commenters would be up in arms complaining that Whitman was trying to decide what was best for their school. Can’t win.

They are advocating for Taylor's class size recommendations which include class size increases for the youngest poorest students. It may not strike you as unusual but as a Whitman alum I am mortified.

They are advocating for what is best for their cluster. I’m sure other cluster reps have a different take, and they can have their voice heard in testimony. In a democracy, we all get a voice—not just the voices you care about. -DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t have a dog in this fight but this doesn’t strike me as unusual? They are listing their priorities as a cluster - I am assuming each other cluster had the chance to submit a letter and submitted one that outlined *their* priorities as a cluster.

If this letter had advocated for class size changes at other schools I am guessing some commenters would be up in arms complaining that Whitman was trying to decide what was best for their school. Can’t win.

They are advocating for Taylor's class size recommendations which include class size increases for the youngest poorest students. It may not strike you as unusual but as a Whitman alum I am mortified.

They are advocating for what is best for their cluster. I’m sure other cluster reps have a different take, and they can have their voice heard in testimony. In a democracy, we all get a voice—not just the voices you care about. -DP

You're implying I am somehow stopping them from being heard, when in fact with this thread I have amplified their advocacy for their own children. Of course they have that right to advocate just like I have the right to view them as callous and express that view point here. You on the other hand think they should be able to express themselves but I should not.