Your Opinion: Follow standards on class size

Dear Editor:

There have been several articles in the paper recently regarding concerns about discipline, teacher morale and class size. The Missouri School Improvement Program adopted by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has established desirable standards for class sizes:

K-2 grade, 17 students; 3-4 grades, 20 students; 5-6 grades, 22 students; 7-12 grades, 25 students. (http://dese.mo.gov/quality-schools/mo-school-improvement-program/class-size-and-assigned-enrollments)

Before any new fixes or remedies to deal with problem kids are implemented, it seems prudent that our schools adhere to these desirable standards in each school for maximum educational benefit. I do not speak for teachers (although I was once) but I would think that implementing these limits on their class sizes would go a long way in improving teacher morale. These standards would allow the teacher the time to deal with some discipline issues and give the teacher more time to give the individual instruction to all of his/her students.

As we go into enrollment period and begin the school year, I would respectfully suggest to all parents to ask about your child's class size. If you think it is too many students in one class, the teacher would probably agree.

Although iPads and computers in the classroom may enhance learning, if it is my child I would choose a class ratio of 1:17 with little technology over an oversized classroom with the most up-to-date technology any day. Let's invest where it matters: teachers.