Resolution on Class Size Reduction
Whereas, the Common Core State Standards Initiative emphasizes and
delineates College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for
Writing; and
Whereas, a key strand of the English Language Arts/English Language
Development Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade
Twelve is written forms of expression; and
Whereas, the California Writing Project has, for 40+ years, at 16
regional sites, promoted student learning via the teaching of writing;
and
Whereas, more than a dozen California state commissions and reports
on the teaching of English language arts content and skills, during the
past 40 years, have emphasized the need for student writing; and
Whereas, California has, in recent years, had the highest teacherstudent
ratio in the nation; and
Whereas, individualizing and differentiating instruction to improve
the writing skills of students’ diverse cultural and academic needs in
California is paramount; and
Whereas, restorative justice calls for teachers getting to know their
students on a personal level, using peer-mediated small groups’
written expressions to reconcile differences; and
Whereas, a secondary English teaching load of 100 students per day
(NCTE recommendation since 1960), at a minimum of 20 minutes per
week per student for the evaluation of writing, involves 33 hours
beyond teaching duties; and
Whereas, California English language arts teaching loads have
increased greatly since the 2008 Great Recession;
Therefore, let it be resolved that the California Association of
Teachers of English (CATE) commend those school districts which
have reduced class sizes in English instruction; and
Therefore, that the California Association of Teachers of English
(CATE) urge other school districts, via their Boards of Education,
administrators, and English departments, give their immediate
attention to the perennial and pressing problem of reducing class
sizes, including, but not limited to, seeking additional state funding.
To:
California:
Governor
Assembly Education Committee Chair
Senate Education Committee Chair
State Board of Education
Superintendent of Public Instruction
Business Round Table
School Boards Association
Chamber of Commerce
Manufacturers Association
Teachers Association
Federation of Teachers
State Parent Teacher Association
California English
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