BRACE yourselves, parents, for sone new millennial classroom upheavals. We could cal! it the Y2KC problem (Your Kids’ Classrooms). But it has nothing to do with computers. It has everything to do with thar most sacred of edu- cation motherhood issues: class size. More accurately teacher-to-student ratios. Those ratios were at the core of a recent dispute between the province and the North Vancouver ‘Teachers Association (NVTA). The dispute centred on . the number of children in “ primary grade classrooms in - North Vancouver District 44. NVTA watchdogs launched the grievance because 27 classrooms in the district have more pupils in them than is permitted under . the province’s union agrec- ment with the BC Teachers Federation (BCTF). *” That agreement was frog- marched through the legisia- ture under the Glen Clark _Tegime as Bill 39 after it ran into heated opposition from B.C. school trustees, 87% of whom voted against it. The , agreement dictates class sizes for primary classrooms across . B.C, ; “Proponents of the agree: “ment will cell you it establish- es a standard that’s key to the _ quality of B.C.’s public edu- cation. "_- Others would argue thar. the agreement establishes a - ‘rigidity of classroom compo- sition that contributes next to nothing to education quality and merely ensures more eacher positions and more ‘teacher union members. -Te-also removes from schoo! boards and schools |. any flexibility in the makeup - ‘of classrooms. - ae The current teachers’ con- “tract with the province, while,’ roviding no salary. hikes in.’ ‘thé first two years and 2 2% ~ increase in 2000, inclu.tes “class size reductions tliat add pwards of 700 teachirs to “the provincial teacher work- force of 40,000 and $75 mil- lion to B.C.'s public school . Instruction costs... ‘Smaller classes require >: classes, big peels more education and manage- ment resources. But they don’t represent the best" investment of public educa- tion funds. At the outset of this year, for cxample, some North Shore schools were forced to reorganize classrooms at the Jast minute or delay schoo] year commencement for some students while class sizes and resources could be adjusted to meet the terms of the collective agreement — Victoria having shortchanged District 44 an estimated $1.2 million, The money was -needed to finance the added staffing costs of reducing Grade 1 to 3 classrooms to 22 pupils from 25. A recent resolution to the NVTA dispute provides North Vancouver District 44 with nine new teachers. You'd be hard-pressed to argue against adding more teachers to the local educa- ‘tion mix. And there’s no argument from this side of the page on that issue. The resolution has also largely averted what could have been forther classroom disruptions. Unlike the provincial teachers contract, it allows for some flexibility of classroom makeup. For now.” According to District 44 school superintendent Robin Brayne, classrooms, for the most part, will not have to be " reorganized in the new year >when the teachers are added to the staff at the 10 elemen- tary schools involved. Some will initially be added to classrooms in a tutoring role. But classroom disruption still looms. ; Brayne says the decision on how to conform to class size restrictions will be left up to the staff, principals and parents at the schools most out of whack with those _Testrictions, . But Pd wager that will No costly adverts! Cash immediately! No waiting for the hone to ring! Bo Microwaves _ } > CD. Playe ‘Ss. & BETTER WAY TO SELL AGHEAT PLACE TO SHOP PLACE 10 SHOP result in some hard decisions. How many parents do you know who would agree to 4 midterm mave of their chil- dren to new classes, new teachers and new classmates just because their current classroom has 25 stucents? Regardless of what class- size reduction pedlars say, Bill 39°s rationale tor reducing kindergarten to Grade 3 sses to between 20 and 22 pils escapes me. They might score some casy political points but the education payoff of classroom size reductions is minimal at best. For example, during debate over the bill in the legislature last vear, Delta North Libera] MLA Reni Masi presented information from comprehensive class-size studies conducted in Canada and the United Srares Among the studies” con- clusions: “decreasing class size does not affect students’ measured achievement unless and until class size is iess than 20.” But the studies also con- cluded that even in class with fewer than 20 achieve- ment gain is limited. The reason: teaching, methods have far more irapact on learning than class size. And scrutinizing teaching methods is one of the key areas of discomfort for the BCTF. As are promoting teacher accountability and . quality control, and cultivat- ing excellence rather than mediocrity. Such alternatives as tutor- ing smaller groups of the lowest achieving students would have far greater benefit for the education system than trimming class sizes. The District 44 solutian is therefore to be applauded. Unfortunately it applies only to the NVTA’s most recent grievance. Too bad the entire B.C. teachers contract agreement wasn’t based more on flexi- . bility of classroom resources for the benefit of student achievement rather than the strict adherence to arbitrary classroom sizes for the bene- fit of union working condi- pean Silver 1637 Lonsdale Ave.. N. Van. 984-6700 1730 Marine Drive, W. Van. 926-7710 Christmas dinner. | © roast turkey & gravy °F + apricot stuffing & cranberry “Ee candied yams-brusset _ Sprouts with almonds > garlic mashed potatoes or roast potatoes: christmas pudding-custard or sherry t Vegetarian? Other i items available $17.50 per person* , “Dinner ready int heur __ Simply reheat and serve. Delivery ar Pick up. tions. As full-time West Vancouver-Capilano MLA and part-time education cur- mudgeon Jeremy Dalton will be glad to tell vou, quality of instruction, quality of teacher support and responsiveness to parental input and concerns have the most impact on public education. They’re key to solving our classroom problems. Unfortunately, we're still a long way from being Y2KC compatible for the 21st cen- tury. —trenshaw@nsnews.com it’s news, it’s in ihe News. a {Sie Vt fb! 1895 Ansbtesdie Lene 922:573 (Directly bebind Windsor Meats) w active runners to 2 years | 3 to 5 yeors “ 16 mo to” 2% years" ; 2hic 5 years Sunday, December 5, 1999 — North Shore News ~ 7 putes Abowd wee, “4 Atsence, Ol, Lube & Fitter tulywermgY = 1 et. Safety check. 15 minutes - FAST! Incusdes up to 5 tres of 1Q0w30 Quekerstate 1362 Marine Drive 980-5112 Moer-Sat 8.00arn-6:00prn, Sun. 9:00armn-S:COpm. 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