Reply #52: I don't think I necessarily agree with you on this, uly...

[IrateCitizen]

Because the problem goes much further beyond class size.

1. Educational infrastructure -- many of the schools in our country are literally falling apart. One of the reasons we don't have year-round schooling is the need for air conditioning in the schools. We need a massive federal investment in schools renovation/construction to bring classrooms (especially in poorer areas) up to a higher standard, and install air conditioning so that we can have year-round schooling to better facilitate student retention. Instead of 2-3 months off each summer, we could have, say, 1 month -- and the rest of the time dispersed throughout the school year.

2. Challenging curricula -- the acceptance of mediocrity has infused itself with our educational structure, with bad consequences. I know this because I was able to skate through HS and make distinguished honor roll, and then college classes were a slap in the face. We need to challenge our students in order to maximize their learning opportunity -- while at the same time providing them with the tools to get help in achieving their goals. Considering how reluctant many kids are to ask for help, some of these programs (extra help, tutoring, etc.) should be MANDATORY.

3. Emphasis on education before 2nd grade -- this is where kids are made or broken in the educational system. It is of PARAMOUNT importance that they achieve reading skills in this time, or they will be permanently behind. This is a trend that is greatly supported by many studies. Of course, this will take an investment of not only money but dedicated schools working with communities. And in many instances, some of the best people to help these kids out are -- other kids. Perhaps this is the kind of program that could be fused with some kind of volunteerism program/requirement within the schools, to help kids realize the value of cooperation and helping each other out?

4. Competent administrators -- a poster above outlined this, as to how not all teachers make good administrators, but the education curriculum does not go far enough toward recruiting and training good leaders as future administrators. And in many instances, administrators are those teachers who just were not effective in the classroom.

5. RESPECT -- that is the main issue with teachers today. The fact is, that teaching is not respected and appreciated as the important service that it is -- the preparation of future generations to become productive members of our society. Instead, teachers are blamed for every failing of the educational system, told they make too much money, told that their job is a scam, and so on. Perhaps if we were a society that valued the caregivers and nurturers among us -- such as teachers -- at least as much as we did those who "create wealth", we could go a long way toward alleviating the problems of our educational system?

I think that in many instances class size IS an issue -- especially in the primary grades, where the ratio should be kept as low as 10-15:1 IMHO, but the problems go far, far beyond that.