Sacrifices made to implement local class size caps

Since 2003, the provincial government has made a commitment to reaching smaller class sizes at the primary level, announcing earlier this month that 100 per cent of Ottawa’s primary classes have 23 or fewer students, up from one-quarter that number, while approximately 90 per cent have 20 or fewer.

The Ottawa Catholic School Board (OCSB), says Orléans-Cumberland trustee Stephen Blais, has been “absolutely working towards that goal” in recent years.

Pushing for smaller classrooms allows students to achieve a better educational experience, he continues, receiving increased one-on-one time with teachers and the ability to better identify learning barriers early on.

Limiting the number of students in primary classes “really comes down to the budget and money,” Blais explains, including the increased need for both teaching staff and classroom space.

Now that the OCSB has reached that target, however, it’s time to start looking at classroom caps at other education levels, he suggests, and ensuring the quality of learning for older students isn’t being sacrificed for those in primary classes.

But John Shea – Orléans-Cumberland trustee for the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) – is questioning how effective the class size targets really are. Though the OCDSB “is compliant” with the caps – and while Shea says he doesn’t deny the benefits, like greater individualized attention – he also wonders whether the money for class size targets could be better used on textbooks, closing the teacher salary gap or capital spending.

The initiative “hasn’t come with enough money for proper implementation,” Shea explains, meaning financial support must be drawn from other board funding envelopes.

In addition, the hard line on numbers – 23 students or fewer – has left area schools with little breathing room, he continues, and forced to reshuffle classes after the academic year has already begun.

“At the end of the day it comes down to funds, but there are some other challenges as well,” Shea says, pointing to Fallingbrook and Trillium elementary schools as two that had to reorganize this past September, almost a month after starting classes. “It really is a nightmare for principals.”

Though “the province is really well-meaning” in its decision to push the class size targets, the initiative still means boards must focus more attention on logistics than academics to deal with reaching the caps, he explains.

“Parents can live with a class of 24 students,” Shea adds. “(The hard cap) really negates the positive benefits.”