Class Size

The loss of 125 classroom teachers that Glendale Unified School District students will be facing next year was left out of the Nov. 3 editorial, " Union's position is a loss for students . " The district, in its first draft of the Race to the Top Grant, wrote, “researchers agree that teachers are the 'single most important factor in how much children learn (Calvin & Johnson, 2007).'” And yet, the district gets no criticism for its planned increase in K-3 class sizes of at least six students per classroom and another increase in class size, many already at or over 40 students, in secondary schools.

Class size reduction for ninth grade classes The board unanimously voted to approve submission of the application to participate in the 2005/2006 Morgan Hart Class Reduction Program to reduce class size for ninth grade English and Algebra I classes. WHAT IT MEANS The approval of the application would allow the district to receive funds to reduce class sizes to an average of 20 students for every certified teacher, and a maximum of 22 students in the core subjects of English, mathematics, science or social studies.

I am writing in response to recently written articles on class-size reduction. This issue is being attacked by school districts and school boards throughout the state. In 1996, this program was launched to provide our overcrowded classes with some relief. Now this valuable program is being threatened. I am a math teacher at Crescenta Valley High School. This is my sixth year teaching, and I have been honored as a Consulting Teacher this year. I have taught many different levels of mathematics, but I have taught algebra I all six years.

Gary Moskowitz The heated debate over smaller class sizes continued Thursday as members of the Glendale Parent-Teacher Assn. asked the California PTA to change its stance on class-size reduction. Glendale Council PTA member Patty Scripter helped draft an "emergency resolution" in February that supports giving local school districts more flexibility in maintaining smaller class sizes. Glendale Unified School District officials committed last month to maintaining class-size reduction in the coming school year, but said program flexibility is necessary to keep that commitment.

Chuck Sambar The days when school districts were able to reduce class size, hire additional teachers to teach smaller classes, add new intervention programs to help low-achieving students and award millions of dollars to teachers whose students showed increased academic achievement have all come to a screeching halt. In many school districts, many of these popular programs are being reduced or cut. The slowdown in California's economy has resulted in a projected $12.5-billion state deficit and has forced the governor and legislature to freeze or reduce spending.

Gary Moskowitz After 30 years of teaching elementary school children, Emily Mauerman is sure about one thing -- students do better in schools with smaller classes. Smaller classes allow for more one-on-one interaction between the teacher and student, which leads to better academic success for each student and more effective instruction time for each teacher, said Mauerman, a kindergarten teacher at John Muir Elementary School. "I've taught larger classes and smaller classes, and there is no comparison," Mauerman said Friday.

Gary Moskowitz Eliminating smaller class sizes in ninth-grade English and math classes in local high schools could save the Glendale Unified School District about $350,000 next school year, but district officials say the program is worth more than its dollar amount. Supt. Jim Brown's Budget Advisory Committee presented the school board with a budget report that listed pros and cons for some of the district's more costly programs, including keeping smaller classes.

Gary Moskowitz Glendale Unified School District board members took the first step toward meeting what Supt. Jim Brown has labeled an "$8-million challenge" to the district's 2004-05 budget. At Tuesday night's meeting, board members reviewed a 27-page budget analysis that includes funding projections through the 2006-07 school year. Those projections include an $8-million deficit for the 2004-05 school year. The district also expects its available balance to be in the red by about $8 million in 2005-06 and about $22 million in 2006-07.

Gary Moskowitz Although the Glendale Unified School District faces a projected $8-million deficit next school year, and personnel make up nearly 85% of the district's costs, Supt. Michael Escalante does not plan to lay off employees. The new school chief's plan is to rely heavily on attrition, and not replace most employees who retire or leave the district. Attrition, combined with using about $3.1 million in district reserve funds, will save the district from laying off employees, Escalante said.

First position, plies, shuffle steps -- basic ballet and tap-dance moves students in an introductory ballet class at the Roger Barkley Community Center in La Canada Flintridge could learn during their instructional time. Offered to children 3 to 5, the target of the class is to focus on developing coordination, balance and muscle control with individual assistance by the instructor. The class is offered 10 months a year at the center, and is taught by Center Stage Dance Academy of Los Angeles.