By Dr. Lisette Bauersachs Santa Monica
It’s that time of year. Back to school and back to overcrowded classes in Santa Monica. My beautiful, 9-year-old daughter sits in the largest fourth grade classroom in the entire school district with a total of 33 students and one amazing teacher at Franklin Elementary School. How does one expect fourth graders to learn in such loud, overcrowded classrooms? This only makes sense if the intent is to prepare her for science classes of 36 students at Lincoln Middle School. I do not agree with this “Iron Man” marathon approach to educating young children — survival of few with many children being left behind. This is an unacceptable education policy in a city like Santa Monica. Spend district funds on eliminating overcrowding in the classroom first, before all else.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 17, 2008. Read the original PDF.