Reply to Stoddert - 25 kids in kindergarten class

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]"good schools" in upper NW, the ones with a lottery waiting list, are notoriously packed. Everyone wants in. Less desirable schools can provide smaller classes, but then you have a less desirable student population with increased behavioral issues and lower test scores.  [/quote]

It’s simply not that predictable.

I sent two kids to the same WotP DCPS. Two years apart, same school, same kindergarten teacher, same aide.

One had a kindergarten class of 27. The other had a kindergarten class of 19.

There was no discernible difference in the waiting list, test scores, student body, etc., between the school in year 0 and the school in year 2. The difference was 9 students and 1 classroom: 4 classes of 26-27 became 5 classes of 19-20. [/quote]

This. L-T this year has 4 2nd grade classes for 76 students and 3 3rd grade classes for 75. It can really be a 1 student thing. (Although I still think they will end up admitting more 2nd graders, the school is busting at the gils with the renovation delayed, so they really might not.)[/quote]

Isn't 3rd grade departmentalized though? That's probably why they added a 2nd grade teacher instead of one in 3rd.[b] Easier to handle larger class sizes when kids rotate.[/b][/quote]

Why?[/quote]

Because the teachers can work together and back each other up. The teachers can give each other breaks. Also, in a departmentalize grade, the teachers are teaching all the kids no matter what. If you are the grade's ELA teacher, you're teaching ELA to all 75 kids no matter how they are broken up into classes. Whereas for a 1st or 2nd grade teacher, your class size will dictate how many kids you're teaching. A class of 26 versus 22 means you need to get to know and provide differentiated academic experiences for an additional 4 kids across all subjects. But a departmentalized teacher is teaching the same kids no matter what.

Don't get me wrong, larger class sizes are ALWAYS harder. But if you only have funds for one additional teacher, it makes sense use it for the grade with independent teachers instead of the departmentalized grade.[/quote]

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