QUESTION
I have a question in regards to teacher student ratio for California kindergartens. I have a new kindergartner. She is in a class of 33 students and only 1 teacher. I volunteered the first 3 days of school and was overwhelmed by the chaos of 33 kids adjusting to school and am very concerned for my child's safety as well as the level of learning since the environment is so distracting. I want to approach the school with my concerns but would like to be prepared before I do so. Any input you can give me would be highly appreciated.
ANSWER
The California Kindergarten Association agrees with other nationally recognized early education groups that smaller class sizes are more beneficial than larger classes in the areas of cognitive, academic, social, and emotional development of young children. However, the current fiscal environment has forced many school districts to increase class sizes in kindergarten and, unfortunately, many are approaching the levels experienced in your district. There is also conflicting research that questions the efficacy of small class sizes and student achievement (Milesi, Carolina and Gamoran, Adam 2006). It appears that there is a greater correlation to student achievement based on teacher practice as opposed to the number of students in the class room. This is most often the argument used by districts when increasing class sizes.
That said; this is clearly an issue for you, as a parent, to discuss with your district’s governing board. You are correct that the California Education Code does not specify class sizes in the K-12 system. This is most often a number decided by the governing board and the bargaining units. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) recommends a kindergarten class size of no more than twenty students with a staffing ratio of 1:10. Kindergarten classrooms with this structure are eligible for NAEYC accreditation. Another potential argument for parents would be staffing ratios required by the state of California for child care centers. California requires that child care centers have a ratio of 1:12 for four-year-old children and 1:14 for five-year-old children. These ratios are clearly well below those experienced by your district.
The fiscal crisis facing California is severe and causing many agencies to curtail the services provided to young children. The California Kindergarten Association is not alone in the belief that the financial errors of our legislators must not be placed on the backs of our youngest citizens. I would encourage you and other parents to write to Sacramento voicing your opinions on behalf of your students. If you have not already done so, I would also encourage you to become aligned with Preschool California (www.preschoolcalifornia.org) to receive their frequent legislative updates and letter templates for writing to your Sacramento representatives.
Sincerely,
John Eberly
Board of Directors
California Kindergarten Association
Instructor
Child Development Department
Santa Rosa Junior College
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