One of the unexpected results of the economic crisis that has affected the United States over the last few years is the impact it is having on our schools. With more and more people out of work, not able to pay their mortgage, and home foreclosures at all time highs, tax revenues for school districts have taken a serious bite.
School boards and district superintendents are scrambling to find ways of slashing costs and dealing with lower budgets. Unfortunately, many times that means personnel cuts. Amongst the personnel who are being laid off by these schools are many teachers; turning what used to be one of the most stable job possibilities into another high-risk arena.
Fewer teachers don’t mean fewer students though, nor does it mean fewer classes. In fact, in many of these school districts, they are talking about lengthening the school day, to try and make up for the lack of individual attention that the students will receive.
While average class sizes in the US have been between 20 to 25 students in recent years, we are now looking at having the typical class size be 30 students in many school districts. That means there will be more students work for each teacher to grade, less time to give individualized attention to those who need it and more disruption per class period, reducing the actual teaching time available.
What’s the answer to this problem? Unfortunately, with the economy in its current state, there isn’t one. Many parents are taking matters into their own hands however, by moving their children to charter schools or paying tutors to help their children pass their classes.