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Health & Fitness

43 Students Per Class- How Many Is TOO Many?

At the April 23, 2014 Board Meeting during the Public Comment section a Talega mother of three addressed the Board regarding the frustration her daughter was having due to the fact that there are 43 students in her 4th grade accelerated math class at Vista Del Mar. The class is held in a portable building where there are not enough desks for each student. 

The teacher passes out a worksheet at the beginning of class each day. The kids in the front of the class have finished half the sheet before the kids in the back even receive their sheet. The class concludes with the teacher passing out the homework. There is no "instruction" happening during the class.

Her daughter comes home in tears everyday.  The only "instruction" her daughter receives is from a parent at home after school. When she gets home it is her mother who sits down and "teaches" the days lessons. Because her child is bright she is able to get the information quickly. This routine is repeated daily.

The District has been asked to look into the legality of having 43 students in a portable classroom. The State limits the maximum number of students in a portable to 36. Are fire codes being violated? What about health and safety codes? By anyones math, 43 students is more than 36 students.

The mom goes on to explain that there are other classes at Vista Del Mar with over 40 students. The school is putting more advanced students in the larger size classes because these kids have the ability to figure it out on their own.; while the struggling kids are placed in smaller classes because they need extra help.

She concludes her 3 minute statement by suggesting that the District give the students who want to learn the same or more help so that they can feel like they are accomplishing something. 

She then asks the District to get back to her regarding the large class sizes. 

Well- she asked at the April 23, 2014 Board meeting? Was an answer ever given?

The moms comments can be heard at the following link: at 28 minutes :
http://cusd.capousd.org/cusdweb/boardaudio/4-23-14/04-23-14RegBdMtgItems1-9.mp3

The DIstricts Request for a waiver to increase class sizes can be read at: February 12, 2014 Board Meeting Agenda Item # 1 Request to Waive the Penalty for Class Size Increases:http://capousd.ca.schoolloop.com/file/1229223560406/1218998864154/3520205195740945338.pdf

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