Growing Class Sizes

Class size is something that almost every teacher understands is important. Smaller class sizes have been proven to be more effective for direct instruction. However, class size reduction is also very costly, making it a big debate in the education world over how much it matters. It is well known that a smaller classroom allows for teachers to be more attentive in students lives. Furthermore, studies show that class size has an even bigger impact for low income and minority students. Research shows higher rates of college attendance in smaller classes, with an even bigger increase for minority students. This can be attributed to the fact that in smaller classes, teachers have a chance to connect with students and offer a sense of community. One debate surrounding classroom size is that there are other factors in the classroom that are more important than class size such as teacher salary. Some of the reasons people continue to neglect prioritizing smaller classes is because of the belief that smaller class sizes is simply not worth the price tag. 

Classroom Filled With Empty Desks

As a future teacher, I hope that the trend of larger class sizes slows down, so that I can fully give my time and attention to each student. As a math teacher, I understand how each student struggles and understands math in different ways. In a classroom environment, one on one time is crucial to help develop and foster understanding. I think the benefits of small classes are huge, including enhanced learning, community, and feedback. One thing that greatly affects my feelings about class size is my educational background. Coming from an elementary school with small class sizes, around 15, and then experiencing a bigger school later on, I understand the huge impact that it can have. I got to experience having teachers that I could trust and connect with in a small classroom environment. I hope to give my future students the same experience, which is why classroom size is so important to me. 

The Power and Pitfalls of Standardized Testing

Filled in Standardized Test
Scantron

Standardized testing has become a bigger issue in education than ever before, and it can be a very polarizing topic for teachers and administration. The actual definition of standardized testing is when all students taking a test have to answer the same set of selected questions, allowing for people to make comparisons among groups using the results. Although standardized tests have been apart of the American education system for a long time, the current idea of testing every year for all grade levels is a newer progression. The history of standardized testing in the United States has roots dating back to the 1800s, when teachers began searching for ways to formally test students. Throughout the 1900s there were computer and societal advancements that further promoted standardized testing and increased the ways it could be used. Then, in 2001, the No Child Left Behind education reform expanded the use of standardized testing even further, making it the foundation for school assessment and funding. 

I believe that standardized testing can be a very useful tool in classroom, but it is needed in moderation. In modern day classrooms, I believe that standardized testing has become the solution for all problems at the state and federal levels. While it can be a powerful tool, giving tangible and easy to understand evidence of where a student and school ranks, I think this overemphasis of testing has made the classroom a less personal and meaningful place. This is not a new idea, and several figures in history predicted that this may be a problem as standardized tests grew in popularity. One such figure was John Dewey, who observed that "“Our mechanical, industrialized civilization is concerned with averages, with percents. The mental habit which reflects this social scene subordinates education and social arrangements based on averaged gross inferiorities and superiorities.” I see this trend and overemphasis on numbers and percents even more in our education system and world today. Because of my thoughts on how standardized testing is being used in education, I think schools and the government should be thoughtful and intentional about when and how testing is used.