GROWING PAINS
Union fumes at jam of students in 6,000 oversized classes
MORE THAN 225,000 city students are sandwiched into overcrowded classrooms that exceed size limits set by school officials and the teachers union, union officials said Tuesday.
Some 6,620 classes at 670 city schools have surpassed class-size standards established by the teachers union and the Education Department so far this school year.
The number of overcrowded classes has fallen from 6,978 in 2011, but students are packed like sardines at schools such as Forest Hills High School in Queens.
“The kids are sitting on the heater. There’s not enough desks,” said sophomore Andrea Valverde, 15. “In English class, there’s, like, 40 kids.”
Forest Hills has 244 oversized classes, according to the union tally, earning it the runnerup spot to Benjamin N. Cardozo HS, which has 266 over-packed classes.
Students and teachers at Forest Hills said dozens of kids sit through class on window sills or the floor because there are not enough desks.
“When you’re sitting in back of the class, it’s hard to focus. When you’re on the floor, you’re not getting noticed at all,” said a sophomore who didn’t want to give her name.
According to rules agreed upon by the city Education Department and the teachers union, kindergarten classes in public schools must not exceed 25 students.
Elementary school classes are capped at 32 pupils. Most junior high classes are limited to 33 students, and high school classes must not exceed 34.
This year, hundreds of classes are exceeding those limits, creating difficulties that are felt by students and teachers alike. With more budget cuts looming for 2013, educators are worried it could get worse.
“It’s challenging. You worry that some students will get lost,” said Marie-Claire Chaudior, a Japanese teacher at N.Y.C. Museum School, where the largest class has 36 kids this year, up from 29 in 2011.
Teachers union President Michael Mulgrew blamed Education Department policies for the growing class sizes, citing budget cuts and special-education reforms designed to move disabled students into mainstream classes.
“Parents and teachers know that many children need the individual time and attention that lower class-sizes can provide,” said Mulgrew. “This situation is ridiculous.”
Education officials disputed the union’s figures and said that the city will release its own report on class sizes in November.