SCHOOL TEACHERS: My 8yr old son just started 3rd Grade last week and were concerned about his class size?

Question

Their are currently "3" sections of 3rd Grade Classes at his school. Each section has 30 students, except for one that has 31. I feel that's a fairly large class and I'm concerned about my son getting a quality education. His 3rd Grade teacher is 25yrs old in her 3rd year of teaching. Last two years she taught 4th grade. I have all the confidence in her, but a lot of us parents are concerned about the class size. We've gone to the Principal, but he keeps giving us excuses that he has nothing to do with that and we just have to deal with it. Do you feel 30-31 kids in 3rd grade is a lot for a teacher to handle?

Answer 1

There is 24 in my daughters kindergarten class and they have an aide also.  So two adults with an average of 12 kids to take care of.  I would think that if his class has an aide it would be ok.  

Answer 2

As a teacher, I would say that that is a bit large... The most I've ever taught is 20. But if the teacher has been able to handle it in the fourth grade then I suppose its fine.  

Answer 3

I believe that 30 kids are too many for one class, the school my child goes to does not allow more than 20 kids per classroom because they think that the children learn better in small sizes, and i do agree with that, my daughter has only 15 students in her class

Answer 4

The quote, "a mind, a terrible thing to waste money on", seems to apply. 30 kids is too many. Studies have shown that 15 to 20 kids in a class is better. The teacher can spend more time with each student, individualize more, spot problems sooner, and discipline is easier. Odds are you are in a state like Ohio or California that underfunds education and relies on property taxes. The school district I taught in had a limit of 25 students in a class for grades 4 through 6. It was 20 in a class for grades K through 3. IF your district doesn't have the money for additional teachers & or classroom space, the best thing you can do is help your child yourself. And try to get a levy passed!

Answer 5

That is a large class, but, I bet the school is over crowded or they don't have enough teachers. This is a problem all over the country and the principal really can't do anything about it. Go to the School Board. What the probably need is more schools to be built. But I can already tell you what they'll say " there is no funds for a new school".

Answer 6

I think that is way to much to handle. I totally agree with you. Most 3rd grade classes have 19 or 20. Around here probably more toward 18, 19. 30 is just way to much.

Answer 7

thats what determines the grade of the professional instructor, not class size, but whether the kid can now handle his new environment, ignore the distractions and pay attention in class, give the teacher a chance to do her job, her experiance is not negotiable, and she probably does as good or better job than most experianced teachers, she has not had time to be jaded or set in her ways.  some shcools have had more than 45 students and only one teacher and gotten a quality education

Answer 8

That is a large class. Rather that going to the principal, you might want to try to get the parents of all those kids together and have a heart to heart with the superintendent of shcools in your town.