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Show Classes overcrowded, says teachers group ' Alpine School District's junior hitfh and hitfh schools have 1 1 1 KntfliHh classes with 'M U 3") students, according to a Utah Kducation AssK-iation survey of class sizes. The study also showed 4!) foreih language, 102 math, 78 science and HO social studies classes in the district with ,'!() to 39 student. UKA's survey disclosed an average class load of 2H students in the district's junior high and high schools. "I hope the legislature will seriously consider solving the crisis brought about because increased numlxr of large classes in junior high and high school," Stan Hoarward, IVesident of Alpine Kducation Association said. 'There should be funds earmarked to reduce the class size in the secondary schools as well as elementary." Utah has the largest class sizes in the nation. "Hig classes can be big trouble for students struggling to understand difficult concepts," said UKA President Hurley Hansen. "Sometimes a student will need a detailed explanation. A student in a smaller class has a much better chance of getting individual attention from the teacher in these situations." The UKA president said discipline is often better in smaller classes; teachers get more opX)rtunities to give students learning exjx:rienees such as essay writing with smaller class loads; and gifted students can have a greater challenge in smaller classes. UKA surveyed teachers across the state on enrollment figures from their official rollbocks on October 1. Of the 201 middle, junior high and high schools in Utah, only 15 did not respond to the. Survey. The UKA survey showed that the number of large English, math, foreign language, social studies and science classes increased nearly 10 per cent in the past year. A total of 1,700 Knglish classes, 1,382 math classes, 1,523 social studies classes and 1,072 science classes have 30 or more students. Many art, business, crafts and vocational education, health, home economics, physical education, driver education, music and other classes have more than 40 st,-''ents, according to the survey. A total of 225 physical education classes and 175 music classes have 50 or more students; and 139 business classes have 40 or more students. The average class load in junior high and high schools rose from 20.5 students to 27.1. In middle schools the average increase is from 29.3 students to 29.4. "We should remember that those averages don't reflect the real problem," said UKA President Hurley Hansen. |