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Larger classes to save money
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Teachers and students may see more kids in elementary and middle school classes next year under a plan that could save local school districts about $200 million.
The State Board of Education approved this morning bumping up the maximum number of students allowed in core elementary and middle school classes by 2 children to give school systems some flexibility during the recession.
Districts are not required to raise class sizes, but State schools Superintendent Kathy Cox said she wanted to give local leaders this option as they work on next year’s budget. The relaxed rules would last for just the 2009-10 school year.
Class size has been a hot debate for years. While some say two extra kids won’t make that much a difference, others worry that could hurt student learning. Some teachers say going from 28 to 30 students makes a class more difficult to manage and teach.
Are you comfortable with increasing some class sizes if it saves jobs? Do you worry that this one-year solution will last longer?
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Helping transient students
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The first week of January is usually slow for school news. But 2009 is proving to be an exception.
So far we have Fayette schools asking teachers to donate their raises back to the financially-strapped district; Clayton school board members voted for a national search to find a new superintendent; Atlanta school officials plan to close two schools and merge two others; and Gwinnett school leaders go before the state board looking to be freed from many state mandates.
But there was also a story out of Cobb about a high school principal finding ways to help transient students.
Schools all over the metro area struggle with this problem. I’ve heard teachers say students move in and out of their classrooms throughout the year as their parents look for work or try to find cheaper housing.
All this moving around disrupts students’ learning and often makes it difficult for them to focus when they are in class. Schools with many transient students typically have lower test scores and struggle to meet federal learning goals.
I’ve heard of schools offering extra tutoring and teachers visiting students at home to help. Some schools more after-school activities so students can be feel connected to their new campus.
What more can be done to help transient students?
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Give back those raises!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fayette County school leaders have found a different way to save money - they want teachers to give back their raises.
School board members have decided to ask teachers to voluntarily return their 2.5 percent raises. If everyone did, that would give the system about $4 million.
School districts throughout the state are looking to reduce spending because of state budget cuts and decreased property tax revenue. Systems are talking about layoffs, slashing salaries, eliminating some programs and reducing contributions to employees’ insurance plans.
Starting today DeKalb schools are using fewer buses to take kids to and from school as a way to save money.
Fayette has even discussed shortening the 180-day school year, but that can’t happen without a change to state law.
Is Fayette justified to ask teachers to “donate” their raises back to the district? What else should Fayette do to save money?
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Going to school online
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
One of Georgia’s fastest-growing public schools is an online charter school called Georgia Virtual Academy.
The school enrolls about 4,400 students from 163 different districts. Students “attend” school from their homes by turning on their computers. They follow curriculum developed by a for-profit company, turn in homework assignments, complete science projects and take tests.
A key part of virtual schools is that a parent or another adult acts as the learning coach. The school gives parents more control over their kids’ education, which is why it has attracted many home-school families.
When problems comes up a licensed teacher is called in. The teacher also teaches new material, leads lessons and evaluates what kids have learned.
Similar virtual schools are popping up all over the country. They’re too new and different to say how well they’re working.
GVA students have some academic problems. About 74 percent of the online school’s eighth-graders failed last year’s CRCT math test, compared to about 38 percent for the state.
What do you think of virtual schools? Would you enroll your child in this school?
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Where’s the money for vouchers?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia’s newest private school voucher program seems to be off to a slow start.
The program, which was approved by the legislature last year, gives tax credits to individuals and companies that donate to groups that provide private school scholarships.
The scholarship groups set up their own rules on eligibility and the amount of each award.
It turns out that many of these scholarship groups are still getting set up.
I expect these programs will become more necessary as private school families struggle to pay tuition, a mortgage and other bills. But the recession also makes it more difficult for people to donate money to these scholarship groups.
What do you think of this tax credit voucher program?
Latest comments
Dear science teacher,————Teach your students in pairs.Now you have 16.... read the full comment by clyde | Comment on Larger classes to save money Read Larger classes to save money
I wonder how much this will really save. My children attend an average (for GA) size elementary school (though certainly smaller than many in Metro Atlanta). If these were the class size limits this year, not one thing would be different. Look... read the full comment by lynn d | Comment on Larger classes to save money Read Larger classes to save money
Dear science teacher,——Teach your students as pairs.Now you have 16.... read the full comment by ron | Comment on Larger classes to save money Read Larger classes to save money
The teacher-to-pupil ratio is routinely calculated with all small group special ed configurations included. For example, a severe and profound group of three students, served by a teacher and two parapros, easily topples the average. And BTW, why are students... read the full comment by ironmaiden | Comment on Larger classes to save money Read Larger classes to save money