Smaller class size tops list of parents' desires

Last in a four-part series

By Kate McNeil

In a recent survey, local moms and dads listed smaller class size, more and better enrichment programs, more hands-on learning and better communication with parents as their top priorities for improving schools

Given a list of 10 possible improvements to schools, a plurality of Riverdale- Kingsbridge parents said reducing class size is their No.1 concern.

Last spring, more than 2,780 Riverdale- Kingsbridge parents filled out the Learning Environment Survey, the first citywide assessment on the state of schools. Asking parents about their concerns, one question on the survey offered answers ranging from more arts programs to less preparation for state tests.

The greatest number of respondents (22 percent) cited "smaller class size" as the improvement they would most like to see. Parents worries about class size are well-founded - District 10 is notorious for overcrowding.

"Across the district we are extremely overcrowded," said Marvin Shelton, president of Community Education Council of District 10. Mr. Shelton estimated that local schools are at 110 percent capacity.

Based on school registers from the 2006-07 school year, many general education classes are beyond capacity.

Locally, the Robert J. Christen School, PS 81 is bursting at the seams. Last year, fourth-grade class sizes at the Riverdale Avenue school averaged more than 30 students. Across grades kindergarten through five, PS 81 enrolled three more students per class on average than its Riverdale neighbor, PS 24.

"We are full and capped in several grades," said Amy Moore, vice president of the parent association. "Anyone moving into the neighborhood can't get their child into PS 81."

This year, fifth-grade classes at PS 81 are so full, half a dozen students are being bussed to PS 24 to alleviate overcrowding. In Kingsbridge Heights, PS 310 has been absorbing extra students into temporary classrooms on playgrounds for more than 20 years, Mr. Shelton said.

Districtwide, ninth-grade social studies courses are feeling the pinch with an average of 29 students per room. What's more, junior high honors courses in District 10 average 30 students per class.

"Student-to-teacher ratio is important but we'd prefer more space rather than throwing in another teacher in a class," Mr. Shelton said.

The Department of Ed is telling Mr. Shelton and other education leaders that population in the Bronx is "dwindling."

"Two years ago [the DOE] said we need 4,000 more seats," Mr. Shelton said. "Last year it went down to 2,500. I don't believe that."

Councilman Oliver Koppell said he agrees with local parents.

"I am fully sympathetic to the parents' view. Smaller class sizes are a top priority for me," he said. "While not every one of our schools is overcrowded all of our schools are full."

Mr. Koppell said he is setting up a meeting with DOE officials this week to discuss construction of new schools in the northwest Bronx. Currently, the DOE plans to build in annex at the Sheila Mencher Van Cortlandt School, PS/MS 95 but the budget does not call for expansion plans at any Riverdale-Kingsbridge schools.

While a quarter of parents citywide said reducing class size should be their school's top priority, the DOE lumped together four responses to downplay the results.

About 45 percent of parents chose one of four responses - more or better enrichment programs, more hands-on learning, more or better arts programs and more challenging courses - which the city generalized as "creating more or better programs." The DOE then reported in a press release that more parents want better enrichment rather than a lower student-to-teacher ratio.

Locally, one in five parents want better enrichment programs in schools. But this wish is countered by parents, desire for more preparation for state tests, which generally cuts into enrichment time. More than 10 percent want more state test prep at their child's school, while only 1 percent would like less.

Parents seem satisfied with school leadership - only 5 percent desired a more "effective" leadership team - and teacher qualifications - 6 percent felt they needed more.

Top 10 priorities for local parents

Parents were asked to rank several priorities for improving their schools. Here are the results:

1. Smaller class size – 22%
2. More or better enrichment programs –19%
3. More hands-on learning – 12%
4. Better communication with parents – 11%
5. More preparation for state tests – 11 %
6. More or better arts programs – 8%
7. More challenging courses – 7%
8. More teacher training – 6%
9. More effective school leadership – 5%
10. Less preparation for state tests – 1%

Source: Learning Environment Survey

Class-size limits

Limits set through the Department of Education and the United Federation of Teachers

Kindergarten: 25
Grades 1 to 3: 29*
Grades 4 to 6: 32
Title I middle schools: 30**
Non-Title I middle schools: 33
High schools: 34***

* If there is room, classes in grades 1 to 3 should also be capped at 25.

** Title I schools are designated as "in need of improvement" and receive extra funding.

*** For academic classes.

Source: United Federation of Teachers