Maintaining optimal class sizes

Educators agree that class size, especially in the younger grades, impacts how students learn, receive instruction and interact with their teachers. At the primary level, the amount of students in a classroom per teacher are smaller, and as grade levels increase, per one classroom teacher, the numbers of students in each classroom also increases. Class sizes in both districts are determined by them, as there is no official state requirement or legislation. 

Mark Secaur, Hewlett-Woodmere’s superintendent of curriculum and instruction, said as of Sept. 18 the average class size was “within the prescribed range” in every grade. “In fact, there were no grades where the average class size was at the maximum allowable average,” he said. “There has been a great deal of debate on the impact of class size and student learning. We feel our class sizes are responsible and allow our teacher to meet the needs of our students. We agree that class size is an important factor and we will continue to watch enrollment patterns in order to ensure proper staffing.”

The Lawrence Teachers Association and its district mutually agreed upon the class sizes. Lori Skonberg, the LTA’s president, said that the student-teacher ratios were also at an ideal level for classroom learning, across the grade levels. “As of this date, no class is over class size,” she said. “However, some are at capacity but not over.”

High school class sizes are treated completely differently given the number or choices and diversity in classroom options, said Cheryl May, the vice president of Hewlett-Woodmere’s school board, a proponent of small class sizes.