Class Size Matters

Re Liang-shin Hahn’s Dec. 26 letter stating, “Class size is a minor factor.” As a teacher with nearly 40 years of experience, I can tell you that at all the schools I have worked at (eight full-time, many more as a substitute) and in all the grades I have taught (mostly fourth through eighth), class size was and is a major factor.

Even an excellent teacher can be spread too thin when trying to reach the many and varied needs of a class overfilled with needy students. Having (and paying for) quality teachers is a major factor in students’ progress. Having positive support for education from home is a major factor. Class size is also a major factor. Call it a “goal-den” triangle. If any side is weak, the goal of educating students to their fullest ability will suffer.

Maggie Bell

Dana Point