Reply #65: there was a study some years back

[mzteris]

um- maybe 10ish years ago - that showed a correlation between smaller classes (under 20) in the first three grades and improved performance all the way through school, regardless of class size in later years. I'm not sure what the most recent studies show.

However, I do think smaller classes lend themselves to more individualized instruction/differentiation for those students who need it. The more individualized attention a kid gets, the better, imo. While, I do understand the whole financial problem - in an ideal world and all that . . . well, things would be a lot different.

I like your idea of "master teachers" and multiple assistants. Sort of like college professors and TA's?

One idea I've always suggested is that "new teachers" - say less than three years experience - should be "assistants" in classrooms to proven teachers. "New" teachers should NEVER be in charge of a classroom, imo. something akin to an apprenticeship or an internship. I think that would help not only with teacher training/efficacy, but with retention as well.

Again, filthy lucre is the problem. Of course if we spent more on education, we'd spend less on incarceration. More on teaching and less on non-productive members of society. Less on wars and more on empowering and supporting people.

Ah well. A girl can dream . . .