Berkeley Parents Network: Large Class Size

Berkeley Parents Network

Large Class Size

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > Berkeley Public Schools > Berkeley High School > Large Class Size

Large Class Size at BHS

October 2000

Large class sizes @ BHS - I went to back to school night @ BHS and, once again, was shocked by how many kids are in the classes, 38 in my daughter's Spanish class. I think this is one of the biggest problems in the school and needs to be addressed. I also thought one of the purposes of BSEP was to keep classes small, around 28. I do intend to go to the PTSA about this and will email the school board members. Does anyone know of any group that is dealing with this problem? If not, I intend to start one. Toby

I am also concerned about the large class size at Berkeley High. I came back from Back to School Night discovering that my daughter had 36 students in her history class and no less than 32 students in ANY class. Her history class does not have enough text books so none have been handed out. Her chemistry class has more students than can be accomodated in the lab. I would like to hear both the current school board and candidates for the school board explain why we continue to face crowded classrooms and lack of textbooks at Berkeley High despite the community support through funding of measures A and B. I would like to hear about both long term and short term solutions. After 10 years in the Berkeley schools I am tired of waiting for the next long term process laden proposal. How can we fix this now?

I would also like some simple explaination why we in Berkeley, who tax ourselves to achieve lower class size end up having higher class sizes than other bay area districts. It just seems unfair and I would like an accounting of where the money is going.

That said, I hope the money is going toward teacher salaries because they certainly deserve it (especially since they have to deal with these very high class sizes!) Paul

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