HS science teacher here. I'm lucky in that I have lab tables that are standing height(there are of course stools as well). All the other teachers are not so lu

HS science teacher here. I'm lucky in that I have lab tables that are standing height(there are of course stools as well). All the other teachers are not so lucky. One of the reasons that a typical classroom has desks in rows is because that's all the school provides. Most teachers at my school would love actual tables to group kids at. Tables are so much more flexible; you can have stations, group discussions, combine them for a round table discussion, etc. Kids and teachers can move around to the different tables much more easily than desks in rows. Your average school desk is also just a POS. They are too small for most HS students (and not just because "The Yanks are fat" you rude foreigner :P ). They are lousy build quality. They are too low to the ground. ADA height tables are actually taller than student desks. This also kills teachers' backs when we have to bend over the check student work. I would love if we had standing tables but they are expensive (especially for "school grade" tables) and schools would rather spend money every year replacing crappy desks and buying smart boards. Edit: Also as teachers we are told to be "more engaging" but then when administrators do walk throughs and observations we get docked for having the kiddos moving around the classroom and talking because some of the admin are not used to anything other than teachers lecturing to a quiet, obedient classroom.