First-Graders Won’t Take Class-Size Tests

First-grade students will not be given tests that would try to measure the effectiveness of smaller classes, at least not yet.

The majority of Fullerton School District trustees sided with teachers, who argued that standardized testing should be done at the second-grade level, not first.

Only one board member, Kim Ann Guth, wanted to proceed with testing that would have included an exam at the beginning of the school year and another at the end to track first-graders’ progress.

Board President Anthony M. Valla said: “I personally don’t see any purpose in standardized testing in the first grade,” adding that to do so would be a waste of money.

Trustee Hilda Sugarman said testing already is standard for second-graders.

Guth argued that the testing is needed, however, to find out if the district’s program to limit class size to 20 pupils in first-grade classrooms is effective. “It’s a real quick and easy way to determine if class-size reduction is working,” she said. “This issue is not going away.”