Subject:
Reducing Class Sizes Statewide
Message:
Dear Legislator,
As a constituent who cares deeply about public education, I urge you to pass legislation to decrease class sizes statewide. Reducing class sizes, especially for younger children, has a positive effect on student achievement overall. Smaller class sizes also provide significant benefits for students who are at-risk and students with disabilities.
Lower class sizes allow educators to devote more time and have more meaningful engagement with students in individual settings and in small group work as well. Also, because students in smaller classes tend to be more engaged, they have fewer disruptions and increased student academic performance.
The significant additional investment provided to New York state public schools by both the federal and state governments can be utilized to lower class sizes statewide. This investment will enable New York to establish statewide class-size limits that restore equity and trust in the public school system and bring families and their children back to our schools.
Public schools across the state are grappling with teacher shortages. Many educators that resign or retire cite teaching conditions as a prime reason, which includes overcrowded classrooms with students of many different capabilities. Smaller class sizes can help to address teacher turnover throughout the state.
Legislation enacted in 2022 created class size limitations for New York city schools to be phased-in over four years. I urge you to pass legislation to extend class size limitations to the rest of the state, which will increase academic learning for students and help retain educators and school-related professionals in our public schools.
Thank you for your consideration of these important issues. I respectfully ask that you bring up these issues with your conference and I would greatly appreciate a response to this email.
Sincerely,
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