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Most elementary students in the state are in classes with 21-22 students. The average class size is 20 in MA, but that number is lowered by smaller classes for

Most elementary students in the state are in classes with 21-22 students. The average class size is 20 in MA, but that number is lowered by smaller classes for special education and small school districts. How are they going to split up 22 students into groups of 10? Brookline just laid off a lot of teachers, and many other school districts are facing budget short falls making the problems worst. This is a mess.

SpicyLemonZest 6y ago
Obviously there's time for things to change, but everyone I know in education is discussing staggered plans where only half the kids show up every day.
- gremlinsinc 6y ago
  I think it makes more sense to do split days... 4 hours + 30 minute snack/recess/break then 30 minutes to clean class rooms and next class arrives. Maybe have fridays off since that could be 10-12 hour days for teachers/transportation.
bradly 6y ago
Without recess, library, lunch the day can be much shorter. There is a good chance that there could be two different 3 hour in-class sessions a day.
- ghaff 6y ago
  An abbreviated school day would at least help deal with non-participation in remote learning. Although schools would presumably try to deal with the reduced classroom hours with more homework of various kinds. Furthermore, it basically means that for young children there needs to be an at home adult most of the day even though children go into school for a few hours.
  - ryanlol 6y ago
    > it basically means that for young children there needs to be an at home adult most of the day even though children go into school for a few hours Do kids in Massachusetts go to school at a younger age than in the rest of the world?
    - deleted 6y ago
      [deleted]
    - ghaff 6y ago
      Not that I'm aware. But typically 5-ish to [some age] year olds aren't just left to go to school on their own and let themselves into the house whenever they get home.
    - jpollock 6y ago
      Many states have laws saying at what age a child can be left home alone. Massachusetts doesn't have a specific legislated age, but they will charge you with neglect if you get it wrong. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-child-abuse-and-neglect https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-ch...
      - Dork1234 6y ago
        School Bus Companies in MA will not drop off a kid till 11-12 age range unless there is an older child or adult there to pick them up. Generally in the US kids are left alone for short periods of time starting at age of 8, and gradually increase the time. Leaving 5-10 year old at home all day is not realistic.
- gremlinsinc 6y ago
  School is now 8 hours, so do 4 hour classes, w/ a small 30 minute snack... so really a 9 hour day for teachers, 4+30 minute snack... I think Finland actually does something like this... or some nation w/ good results. Apparently kids learn better when they have more down time or something like that.
  - majewsky 6y ago
    > so really a 9 hour day for teachers More. They also need to grade tests/essays/etc. and prepare the next sessions.

SpicyLemonZest 6y ago

Obviously there's time for things to change, but everyone I know in education is discussing staggered plans where only half the kids show up every day.

gremlinsinc 6y ago
I think it makes more sense to do split days... 4 hours + 30 minute snack/recess/break then 30 minutes to clean class rooms and next class arrives. Maybe have fridays off since that could be 10-12 hour days for teachers/transportation.

bradly 6y ago

Without recess, library, lunch the day can be much shorter. There is a good chance that there could be two different 3 hour in-class sessions a day.

ghaff 6y ago
An abbreviated school day would at least help deal with non-participation in remote learning. Although schools would presumably try to deal with the reduced classroom hours with more homework of various kinds. Furthermore, it basically means that for young children there needs to be an at home adult most of the day even though children go into school for a few hours.
- ryanlol 6y ago
  > it basically means that for young children there needs to be an at home adult most of the day even though children go into school for a few hours Do kids in Massachusetts go to school at a younger age than in the rest of the world?
  - deleted 6y ago
    [deleted]
  - ghaff 6y ago
    Not that I'm aware. But typically 5-ish to [some age] year olds aren't just left to go to school on their own and let themselves into the house whenever they get home.
  - jpollock 6y ago
    Many states have laws saying at what age a child can be left home alone. Massachusetts doesn't have a specific legislated age, but they will charge you with neglect if you get it wrong. https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-child-abuse-and-neglect https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-ch...
    - Dork1234 6y ago
      School Bus Companies in MA will not drop off a kid till 11-12 age range unless there is an older child or adult there to pick them up. Generally in the US kids are left alone for short periods of time starting at age of 8, and gradually increase the time. Leaving 5-10 year old at home all day is not realistic.
gremlinsinc 6y ago
School is now 8 hours, so do 4 hour classes, w/ a small 30 minute snack... so really a 9 hour day for teachers, 4+30 minute snack... I think Finland actually does something like this... or some nation w/ good results. Apparently kids learn better when they have more down time or something like that.
- majewsky 6y ago
  > so really a 9 hour day for teachers More. They also need to grade tests/essays/etc. and prepare the next sessions.