It seems to me that the critical comparison is between resource-starved
urban schools vs. nearby resource-adequate suburban schools. I imagine,
theoretically, that well-endowed and popular (with waiting lists) private
schools have long ago arrived at the optimum teacher workload and class
size consistent with effective traditional education (not ideal education).
The rich don't waste money on children's education either, but they do
spend what's actually needed.
I am sure there must be a lot of statistics around relevant to these
issues, probably at NCES website (Nat'l Ctr for Ed Stats). However we all
know that local conditions often vitiate the validity of direct comparisons.
My professional view, having sat in many NYC classes as an observer over
the years (secondary schools, public, mid-quality to good, not including
the worst ones or the best ones) is that teachers teach one class too many
per day, and class size is optimal around 25-28, given traditional methods
and objectives. I suspect that the comparison to resource-adequate schools
would confirm these estimates.
JAY.
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JAY L. LEMKE
CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
JLLBC who-is-at CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU
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