Class size isn’t sole factor at play

Re: “Smaller classes obviously work” ( Letters to the Editor, March 26)

I have yet to find any scientific study declaring that smaller classes obviously lead to better student results without such a study adding a disclaimer admitting that other factors could also have contributed to those better results. Indeed, as class sizes decreased over the last contract negotiation years in our province, there have been no significant improvements in high school graduation rates. Rather, I would posit that teachers make the main difference when it comes to student success.

Letter- writer Chris Eustace correctly points out that “students in private schools do better than students in public schools,” but by singling out class size as the main cause, he is ignoring that some government- subsidized public schools have classes that are higher than those in public schools due to the nature of their students. So what are some of those other reasons?

Many private schools have entrance exams or interviews and are selective with the students they let in. Private schools have the possibility of refusing entry to or sending away students who may cause disciplinary problems, thus leaving teachers with less disruptive classes. In private schools, weak teachers can be simply released at the end of their often yearly contracts, while tenure exists in the public system. Private schools have more money, contributed by parents, and can thus reduce class sizes if they wish, to thus attract other students.

The emphasis should be on the individuals, in this case the teachers. Students with a great teacher, either in a private or public school, will do better than students with a mediocre or poor teacher.

The emphasis should be on the person, not on the environment. Robert Marcogliese, Montreal