I just recently found out that the class sizes in Philadelphia for Special Education have just been allowed to be unlimited. I’m not sure if it’s for the entire state, of just in Philadelphia. I thought that the purpose of special education was to provide children with individual instruction designed for the particular needs of the student. We are now allowed to have up to 30 students per class. I don’t know how this will benefit our students. Because of this, I have just had my class size increased by 4 students. I’m not sure how to deal with this issue. If anyone could give me any suggestions OR if anyone knows who to speak with about this I would appreciate some help on this.
Re: Class Size
CA has no limitations on special day class sizes, we have fought this for YEARS at the state level (it is a state “law”). We (a professional organization) lobby, a committee writes a proposed law to take to the floor and it never gets there……….it is too expensive, they say.
Parents who want better services, FAPE (the magic words are “FAPE”) really need to know that often their legislatures are part of the problem, they refuse to increase funds for special ed. programs, creating large class sizes which overextend the teachers. The teachers try to be all things to all people, but it is not possible to do this, so we end up doing the best we can, as much as we can in a day, stretch ourselves as far as we can. Then, when a parent comes asking for a 1:1 aide, more time, and so forth, is it any wonder (unless it is very obvious to all it is absolutely necessary) the school district either 1) tells the already overburdened special ed. teacher to do this, as well, or 2) says “no!”? Finally, special ed. gets a bad rap because the federal government and the states have never willingly fully funded our programs, thus forcing districts to take monies from other places. Is this any wonder why we have so much contention surrounding special ed.?
Re: Class Size
Thanks for your suggestions on this. Unfortunately, our building rep hasn’t been all that helpful up to this point. I may end up calling our cluster rep sometime this week. I WILL definitly talk to the parents I come in contact with and tell them what is going on.
Where’s your union on this? Philadelphia has a very powerful union. Talk to your union rep.