Class Size

* Re “L.A. Unified OKs Size Cuts for English in 9th Grade,” Nov. 12: As a parent of two high school students I should jump for joy at the thought of class-size reduction. My children’s academic classes (grades 6-12) have averaged 40 students each.

I work in an elementary school and saw the 20-1 [student-teacher ratio] class-size reduction scramble for qualified teachers and suitable space turn education into chaos. We were fortunate to have room for bungalows, which finally started to come one year after the program started. Students do not benefit from chaos.

I cannot believe we have to go through this madness again, this time in the high school. These schools are packed with students in every available space; where are we going to put the new classes? There is not even room on campus for enough bungalows to house the classes. Where are we going to get qualified teachers?

I am aware that the school board is trying to improve English test scores, but one class in a student’s life with 20 kids isn’t going to do it. Reduce class size overall! Do it gradually. We must not sacrifice the other subjects for a one-time small class.

SUZANNE SHISLEY

Woodland Hills