The problem of math in teaching

[stealthcomic]

A teacher I know only over the internet, but who probably lived 30 miles from my house, recently tweeted he has 192 students on the rosters of his 6 classes next year. Yep, he has 6 classes of 32 students.

People wonder why teachers complain about class sizes and say it's impossible to give kids the attention and feedback they need to become better

Comments

[evilegg]

I don't think people are wondering why teachers complain about large classes.
My parents complained about the large class sizes when we were in public school (not even a desk for everyone in some classrooms).
I hate that you guys feel like everyone doesn't see the problem.
The high school I ended up at had about 22 students per class, except math... we ha people sitting on the floor. Do you think people are more likely to have to repeat math and so the classes get clogged?

[stealthcomic]

And yet, teachers seem to be casts as the villians in much of the coverage of education reform. How can anyone be a good teacher with 192 students? It's like working on the Titanic. Even good teachers can be overwhelmed and those who need help to become good teachers don't even have a chance to get near a life preserver.

With regards to math classes, I think you're on to something. Though I don't have any hard data, I'd be willing to bet there are higher percentages of kids who fail math. I've known some who had to double up on math classes and that would impact student-teacher ratios. Plus math and science are tough positions to fill and to retain because there are so many other jobs out there where those skill sets bring higher pay.

[evilegg]

I took Alg 1 and Alg 2 at the same time when I was REPEATING Alg 2.
Yeah- That's basically two extra students there.

Anyone who blames teachers for this crap needs to be reminded that teachers aren't paid per student.

[caramida]

This is a wonderful assessment of this piece of the teaching puzzle. So few people have any real understanding of what's going on during direct instruction, to say nothing of what we teachers accomplish when we're not standing in front of our students.

I wonder if you might open this entry to public view, so that I might link to it. Failing that, would it be ok with you if I quoted the thing, whole cloth?

[stealthcomic]

Done. Feel free to cross-post.