CBC News – Prince Edward Island – Kindergarten classes larger than expected

P.E.I. is trying to deal with late enrolments as kindergarten moves into schools for the first time in September, and classes will likely be larger than expected.

'It's harder to build that close relationship … when there's so many.'— Angela Sigsworth, teacher

The original recommendation to government was to have a ratio of no more than 15 students per teacher, which is already higher than the 12-1 ratio currently mandated. Since the kindergarten curriculum was introduced in 2000, kindergarten has been offered in private settings, mostly daycares.

Angela Sigsworth, a pre-school teacher and parent of a child starting kindergarten this fall, has been told her son could be in a class of 19 when he starts at Glen Stewart School in Stratford. She said that's too many.

"Definitely, because they don't have that one-on-one time. They can't," she said.

"It's harder to build that close relationship that you want to build with those children when there's so many."

When contacted by CBC News, the principal of Glen Stewart School said kindergarten class sizes have not yet been finalized.

The province assigned kindergarten teachers based on February enrolment figures, but new kids keep signing up. In an effort to solve the problem, the province has a new agreement with the three school boards.

One teacher will teach up to 17 kids. At 18 kids, the province will pay for an extra one-third teaching position to help out in that classroom. With 21 students, there would be a two thirds position. At 24, another full-time position would be available to split the class in two.

Ricky Hood, acting superintendent of the Eastern School District, said schools will also be looking at the mix of children in the classroom.

"You may have a number of students in a particular classroom with very special needs, and so that may be a very difficult situation," said Hood.

Hood said pre-screening of students is helping come up with class mixes based on student needs.

The new staffing model will be reviewed after the 2010 school year.

via www.cbc.ca