The Department of Education (DOE) has recently announced that 80% of students mandated to attend after-school tutoring, as part of the new contract with the teachers union, are actually doing so.
Bravo! Most of these students and their teachers agree with the DOE that the program is a major success. Students are sharpening their skills, learning subject matter, and having their spirits raised by accomplishments made possible by a close working relationship with caring teachers who can focus and devise strategies to meet every student’s special needs.
This “miracle” could be made routine. It is a fact that smaller class sizes are vital to teaching and learning. The thriving after-school tutoring program is capped at 10 students per class.
Readers in Queens appreciate your [The Queens Courier] fair reporting, which hopefully will include the good news that public school teachers are working hard and devotedly for their children. To make the most of their children’s potential, parents need to get engaged in the political process of lobbying for budgets and initiatives that can reduce class size.
Ron Isaac
Fresh Meadows
