[ProgressiveEd] Q and A on our initiative to limit class size in the NYC public schools
Leonie Haimson
[email protected]
Thu, 12 Jun 2003 12:05:51 -0400
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The petition form for our campaign to limit class size in the public =
schools is now posted on our website at www.classsizematters.org, along =
with instructions on how to gather and witness signatures, in a 8 1/2 by =
11 format that you can print out and easily copy.=20
Also posted is a new fact sheet that answers alot of frequently asked =
questions about our effort: http://www.classsizematters.org/QandA.html
I will include it below, but if anyone wants it as a one pager that they =
can distribute to parents and others, let me know and I will be happy to =
forward it as a word document.
The petition is also posted on the website of our coalition, =
www.newyorkersforsmallerclasses.org
Over the next two weeks, there will be plenty of opportunities to get =
signatures at end of the year parties and school events, or simply by =
standing outside your school ond collecting signatures at drop-off or =
pick-up times. You can also use the last week of June or the first week =
in July to go around with a petition on your block or playground -- as =
you will see, it is very quick and easy to collect signatures, as there =
are loads of parents who will be extremely excited about the prospect =
of limiting class size in the NYC public schools.=20
My question and answer sheet follows.
thanks for your help,
Leonie Haimson
Class Size Matters
124 Waverly Pl.
New York, NY 10011
212-674-7320
[email protected]
www.classsizematters.org
CLASS SIZE MATTERS
124 WAVERLY PLACE
NEW YORK, NY 10011
TEL: 212-674-7320
www.classsizematters.org
Email: [email protected]
=20
=20
Who are we? "New Yorkers for Smaller Classes" is a new coalition made =
up of numerous parent groups, advocacy groups, civic organizations, and =
unions, formed to limit class size in the NYC public schools. Check out =
the list below, or visit our website at =
www.newyorkersforsmallerclasses.org
=20
What are we proposing? That a NYC Charter Revision Commission be =
established to consider putting class size limits into the City charter.
=20
How can I help? We need 45,000 signatures of registered NYC voters by =
the beginning of July, so that the proposal to create this Commission =
can be on the ballot in November 2003.
=20
Then what? If we are successful, a Commission will be formed next year, =
which will hold hearings and decide whether to put the question of class =
size limits before the voters in November 2004. Then the voters will be =
able to decide for themselves whether these limits should be put into =
the city charter
=20
What sort of class size limits will be proposed? That question is for =
the Commission, and ultimately the voters, to decide. Class Size =
Matters and other groups will probably recommend limits similar to the =
ones approved by Florida voters last fall: no more than 18 students per =
class in grades K-3, 22 in grades 4-8, and 25 in high school.
=20
Has this ever been done before? See above. Last fall, Florida voters =
approved putting class size limits into their state constitution, =
requiring a gradual decrease in class size until those limits are =
reached in seven years. Also, 32 states now provide funding to reduce =
class size or limit class size by law. Some counties and municipalities =
also have class size limits.
=20
Why is reducing class size so important? As parents and teachers have =
long known, and as research shows, smaller classes are key to improving =
learning. Students in smaller classes do better on tests, make better =
grades, are held back and drop out of school less frequently, and are =
more likely to go to college. Smaller classes have also been shown to =
reduce discipline problems and teacher turnover, and to improve parental =
involvement.=20
=20
What's the problem here in NYC? Our public schools have the largest =
classes in the state -- by 20 to 36 % -- and some of the largest in the =
nation. Since smaller classes have been shown to be critical for =
student success, it's only fair that our children should have smaller =
classes too, so they can have a better chance to learn.
=20
Aren't schools in NYC too overcrowded? Any serious proposal to reduce =
class size will have to deal with the need to build more schools and =
classrooms in overcrowded areas of the city.
=20
If class sizes are reduced, how do we know that the funding won't be =
taken from other programs at our school? Class Size Matters and other =
organizations will propose that the funding to reduce class size be =
provided over and above whatever is currently spent on our schools, so =
that already existing educational services would not suffer.
=20
My kid is doing fine in school, so why should I care? It's great your =
child is doing well now, but that may not always be the case. Remember =
that in middle schools, 60% of children are in classes of 29 or over, =
and in high schools, most classes are 32 or above. Also, consider the =
other 1.1 million schoolchildren in this city, more than half of whom =
are not achieving at grade level. Don't they deserve the same =
opportunity to learn as children in the suburbs or those who go to =
private schools?
=20
I don't have any kids in NYC public schools, so why should I care? The =
overly large classes of our public schools damage the city's economic =
competitiveness, by hurting our ability to provide an educated work =
force. They also erode NYC's middle class tax base, as they are one of =
the main reasons families move to the suburbs when they have children. =20
=20
Isn't the city in a budget crisis? How can we afford this? Any serious =
initiative to reduce class size will not begin until after this year's =
budget crisis is over. The process will also have to be gradual, =
accomplished over several years. Moreover, economists conservatively =
estimate that the benefits of smaller classes are twice as great as the =
costs, in terms of the future earnings potential of students alone. The =
question is not whether we can afford to reduce class size, but whether =
we can afford not to.
=20
=20
For more information, please contact: New Yorkers for Smaller Classes,=20
52 Broadway, 15th fl., NY NY 10004, tel: 212-598-7734 or 212-598-7752 or
Class Size Matters, 124 Waverly Pl., NY NY 10011, tel: 212-674-7320=20
=20
Members of New Yorkers for Smaller Classes include: Class Size Matters, =
Community Service Society, Hispanic Federation, Advocates for Children, =
Chancellor's Parent Advisory Council, Central Brooklyn Churches, United =
Federation of Teachers, United Parents Associations, Central Labor =
Council, D25 President's Council, CSB 6, Alliance for Quality =
Education, ACORN, New York State NAACP, Parent to Parent (list in =
formation)
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<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The petition form for our campaign =
to limit=20
class size in the public schools is now posted on our website at <A =
href=3D"http://www.classsizematters.org">www.classsizematters.org</A>, =
along with=20
instructions on how to gather and witness signatures, in a 8 1/2 by 11 =
format=20
that you can print out and easily copy. </FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Also posted is a new fact sheet =
that answers=20
alot of frequently asked questions about our effort: <A=20
href=3D"http://www.classsizematters.org/QandA.html">http://www.classsizem=
atters.org/QandA.html</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>I will include it below, but if anyone =
wants it as=20
a one pager that they can distribute to parents and others, let me know =
and I=20
will be happy to forward it as a word document.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>The petition is also posted on the =
website of our=20
coalition, <A=20
href=3D"http://www.newyorkersforsmallerclasses.org">www.newyorkersforsmal=
lerclasses.org</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2><STRONG><EM>Over the next two weeks, =
there will=20
be plenty of opportunities to get signatures at end of the year =
parties and=20
school events, or simply by standing outside your school ond collecting=20
signatures at drop-off or pick-up times.</EM></STRONG> You =
can also=20
use the last week of June or the first week in July to go around with a =
petition=20
on your block or playground -- as you will see, it is very quick =
and easy=20
to collect signatures, as there are loads of parents who will be =
extremely=20
excited about the prospect of limiting class size in the NYC =
public=20
schools. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>My question and answer sheet =
follows.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>thanks for your help,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>Leonie Haimson<BR>Class Size =
Matters<BR>124 Waverly=20
Pl.<BR>New York, NY 10011<BR>212-674-7320<BR><A=20
href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</A><BR><A=20
href=3D"http://www.classsizematters.org">www.classsizematters.org</A></FO=
NT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center; tab-stops: 2.0in"=20
align=3Dcenter><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Garamond">CLASS SIZE =
MATTERS<?xml:namespace=20
prefix =3D o ns =3D "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"=20
/><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">124 WAVERLY=20
PLACE<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><?xml:namespace prefix =3D st1 ns =3D=20
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place><st1:City><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">NEW =
YORK</SPAN></B></st1:City><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">, </SPAN></B><st1:State><B =
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">NY</SPAN></B></st1:State><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> =
</SPAN></B><st1:PostalCode><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">10011</SPAN></B></st1:PostalCode></st1:place><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoTitle style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align=3Dcenter><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><STRONG>TEL: =
212-674-7320<o:p></o:p></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><I style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
10pt"><STRONG>www.classsizematters.org<o:p></o:p></STRONG></SPAN></I></P>=
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: center"=20
align=3Dcenter><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Email: <A=20
href=3D"mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></=
P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Who are we?</SPAN></B> =
<SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> </SPAN><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: =
normal">=93New=20
Yorkers for Smaller Classes=94</I></B> is a new coalition made up of =
numerous=20
parent groups, advocacy groups, civic organizations, and unions, formed =
to limit=20
class size in the NYC public schools.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> =20
</SPAN>Check out the list below, or visit our website at <I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><A=20
href=3D"http://www.newyorkersforsmallerclasses.com/">www.newyorkersforsma=
llerclasses.org</A><o:p></o:p></I></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">What are we=20
proposing?</SPAN></B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That a NYC Charter Revision =
Commission=20
be established to consider putting class size limits into the City=20
charter.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">How can I =
help?</SPAN></B><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
</SPAN>We need=20
45,000 signatures of registered NYC voters by the beginning of July, so =
that the=20
proposal to create this Commission can be on the ballot in November=20
2003.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Then what?</SPAN></B><SPAN =
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
</SPAN>If we=20
are successful, a Commission will be formed next year, which will hold =
hearings=20
and decide whether to put the question of class size limits before the =
voters in=20
November 2004.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Then the =
voters will=20
be able to decide for themselves whether these limits should be put into =
the=20
city charter<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">What sort of class size =
limits will=20
be proposed?</SPAN></B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That question is for the =
Commission, and=20
ultimately the voters, to decide.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> =20
</SPAN>Class Size Matters and other groups will probably recommend =
limits=20
similar to the ones approved by </SPAN><st1:State><st1:place><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Florida</SPAN></st1:place></st1:State><SPAN =
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> voters last fall:<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>no more than 18 students per =
class in=20
grades K-3, 22 in grades 4-8, and 25 in high =
school.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Has this ever been done=20
before?</SPAN></B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>See above. Last fall,=20
</SPAN><st1:State><st1:place><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Florida</SPAN></st1:place></st1:State><SPAN =
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> voters approved putting class size limits =
into their=20
state constitution, requiring a gradual decrease in class size until =
those=20
limits are reached in seven years.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> =20
</SPAN>Also, 32 states now provide funding to reduce class size or limit =
class=20
size by law.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Some =
counties and=20
municipalities also have class size limits.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Why is reducing class size =
so=20
important?</SPAN></B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As parents and teachers have =
long known,=20
and as research shows, smaller classes are key to improving =
learning.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Students in smaller classes do =
better on=20
tests, make better grades, are held back and drop out of school less =
frequently,=20
and are more likely to go to college.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> =20
</SPAN>Smaller classes have also been shown to reduce discipline =
problems and=20
teacher turnover, and to improve parental involvement. =
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">What=92s the problem here =
in=20
NYC?</SPAN></B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> Our public schools =
have the=20
largest classes in the state -- by 20 to 36 % -- and some of the largest =
in the=20
nation.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Since smaller =
classes have=20
been shown to be critical for student success, it=92s only fair that our =
children=20
should have smaller classes too, so they can have a better chance to=20
learn.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Aren=92t schools in NYC =
too=20
overcrowded?</SPAN></B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Any serious proposal to reduce =
class=20
size will have to deal with the need to build more schools and =
classrooms in=20
overcrowded areas of the city.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">If class sizes are =
reduced, how do=20
we know that the funding won=92t be taken from other programs at our =
school?=20
</SPAN></B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Class Size Matters and =
other=20
organizations will propose that the funding to reduce class size be =
provided=20
over and above whatever is currently spent on our schools, so that =
already=20
existing educational services would not suffer.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">My kid is doing fine in =
school, so=20
why should I care?</SPAN></B><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">It=92s great your child is doing well now, =
but that may=20
not always be the case. Remember that in middle schools, 60% of children =
are in=20
classes of 29 or over, and in high schools, most classes are 32 or =
above.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Also, consider the other 1.1 =
million=20
schoolchildren in this city, more than half of whom are not achieving at =
grade=20
level. Don=92t they deserve the same opportunity to learn =
as children in the=20
suburbs or those who go to private schools?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I don=92t have any kids in =
NYC public=20
schools, so why should I care?</SPAN></B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The overly large classes of =
our public=20
schools damage the city=92s economic competitiveness, by hurting our =
ability to=20
provide an educated work force.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN>They also erode NYC=92s middle class tax base, as they are one of =
the main=20
reasons families move to the suburbs when they have children.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 14pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Isn=92t the city in a =
budget=20
crisis?<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>How can we afford =
this?</SPAN></B><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN></SPAN></B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Any serious =
initiative to=20
reduce class size will not begin until after this year=92s budget crisis =
is=20
over.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The process will =
also have to=20
be gradual, accomplished over several years.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Moreover, economists =
conservatively=20
estimate that the benefits of smaller classes are twice as great as the =
costs,=20
in terms of the future earnings potential of students alone.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: =
normal">The=20
question is not whether we can afford to reduce class size, but whether =
we can=20
afford not to.<o:p></o:p></I></B></SPAN></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></I></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></I></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">For more information, please contact: <I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">New Yorkers for Smaller =
Classes</I>,=20
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">52 Broadway, 15<SUP>th</SUP> fl., NY NY =
10004, tel:=20
212-598-7734 or 212-598-7752 or<o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">Class Size=20
Matters, </SPAN></I></B><B><SPAN style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial">124 =
Waverly Pl., NY=20
NY 10011, tel: 212-674-7320 <o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Members of =
</SPAN></I></B><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">New Yorkers for Smaller =
Classes<I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"> include: Class Size Matters, =
Community=20
Service Society, Hispanic Federation, Advocates for Children, <SPAN =
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Chancellor=92s Parent Advisory =
Council,=20
Central Brooklyn Churches, United Federation of Teachers, United Parents =
Associations, Central Labor Council, D25 President's Council, CSB =
6, =20
Alliance for Quality Education, ACORN, New York State NAACP, Parent to =
Parent=20
(list in formation)</I></SPAN></B><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal"><I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></B></P></DIV>
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