Will packed Torrance classes push the learning out?

09-20-2010

By Rob Kuznia/Contra Costa Times

Students in Mark Duvall's English classes at Torrance High School this year might be surprised to learn that as many as two-thirds of their essays won't be graded. This isn't because he wants to go easy on them. Instead, the new approach is born of necessity: With each of Duvall's classes crammed with 40 or more students, there simply isn't enough time in the day to grade every paper. Due to historic budget cuts, average class sizes at Torrance's four comprehensive middle and high schools have soared this year to around 40. That's up from an already high average of 35 the year before. As recently as two years ago, the average freshman English and math course in Torrance contained just 20 pupils, meaning the head counts in those classes have since doubled. Meanwhile, the average size of the district's K-3 classes has shot up in two years from 20 to 30. (more…)
http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_16121010?nclick_check=1

Personal tools

Sections

Will packed Torrance classes push the learning out?

Document Actions