Closing the Instruction Gap

With state after state dealing with massive budget deficits, it comes as no surprise that cuts to public services will continue. Unfortunately, the first sector that usually gets slapped with cuts is often education....and this year seems to be even worse. Many states are attempting to close their deficits on the shoulders of the school systems; asking teachers and principals to do much more with even less. One of the ways schools are doing more is by employing less teachers, which resulted in larger class sizes.

In a New York Times article today, the debate on class sizes is discussed in detail. Traditionally, research has shown that smaller class sizes yield higher test scores and increased levels of achievement among students. Teachers are also big proponents of smaller class sizes. However, recent research seems to be tending towards de-emphasizing the role class size plays in student achievement. Regardless of what the data does or does not show, if you speak to many students you will find there is no debate where they are concerned.

During a recent interview on education, one of our teens was asked if she could change anything about the education system, what would she choose. Without hesitation she said she was have fewer students in her class. She pointed out that in math class she finds it especially difficult to learn with so many other students vying for the teacher's attention. Our member plainly said that she feels like she can better understand her lessons when she is able to get more one-on-one attention from the teacher; something that is nearly impossible when there are more than 30 students in a class.

The decrease in personal attention that many students receive in school makes after school programming that much more important. When a child struggles with learning and is unable to get their questions answered in school, they often give up. Luckily, millions of kids in the country have access to Boys & Girls Clubs and other tutoring programs including 21st Century Community Learning Centers; an after school initiative that targets low-income, impoverished students and provides them with academic assistance. Access to these kinds of programs are especially critical for our low-income youth who are growing up on the wrong side of the achievement gap.

This discussion begs the question, then, when states are gutting the funds needed for public education, does it make sense for the federal government to cut programming for after-school programs? Should we really jeopardize opportunities for our youth to receive that personal attention they may need to achieve academically? This is precisely what is being discussed in Washington today. In an effort to reduce spending, some elected officials are looking to cut funds from the Department of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Centers program.

Most of the teachers in our public schools are wonderful, caring individuals; but as they try to teach more students, some are bound to fall between the cracks. They need us as much as we need them. If we are able to take a child and give them the tutoring they need, they will in turn be more productive in class, and everyone wins.

Help us make sure that everyone wins by contacting your representative and asking them not to cut funding for after school programs like the 21st Century Community Learning Centers. Let them know that budget cuts should not happen at the expense of our children's futures!