Overpopulation in New York City Classrooms

By Kachun Ng

 

INTRODUCTION

Did you know that approximately 38 percent of New York City public schools students are in overcrowded classrooms? That forty-seven percent of elementary school students and 51 percent of high school students are attending classes that are overcrowded? And that the average classroom size for private schools is about 15 to 20 students, whereas in the public schools it’s almost double that amount? Mayor Bloomberg wants to know what your opinions are in solving this problem.

 

 

TASK

  1. Your class will develop a PowerPoint presentation which identifies the various problems posed by oversized classrooms
  2. You will then create an oral presentation listing the possible solutions in order to reduce public school class sizes.

 

 

PROCESS

  1. Define the problem – what are the major issues present in oversized classrooms?

Worksheet: Define the Problem

  1. Gather the evidence – where is the empirical data and information that will support this argument?

Worksheet: Gather the Evidence

  1. Identifying the causes – what are the causes of over-sized classrooms?

Worksheet: Identifying the Causes

  1. Evaluate an existing policy – what steps have the Board of Education taken in order to reduce classroom size? Is it working? How do we know that it’s not working? Why is it not effective?

Worksheet: Evaluate an Existing Policy

  1. Develop solutions – what are some possible solutions that your group have identified that can reduce classroom sizes?

Worksheet: Develop Solutions

  1. Select the best solution - Based on your opinion and the constraints faced in the NYC public schools, which solution do you think is most feasible in creation and implementation?

Worksheet: Select the Best Solution

 

 

RESOURCES

 

 

EVALUATION

PowerPoint Presentation

ACTIVITY

EXEMPLARY

PROFICIENT

PARTIALLY PROFICIENT

INCOMPLETE

POINTS

Define Problem

3 points

2 points

1 point

0 points

 

Gather Evidence

3 points

2 points

1 point

0 points

 

Identify Cause

3 points

2 points

1 point

0 points

 

Evaluate Policy

3 points

2 points

1 point

0 points

 

Develop solutions

3 points

2 points

1 point

0 points

 

Select best solution

3 points

2 points

1 point

0 points

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Oral Presentation

 

 

CONCLUSION

Congratulations! You have successfully completed your study of the problem that is over-crowding in NYC classrooms. Explain what worked and what didn’t in the course of completing this project. What would you do differently? What was the hardest part about putting this project together?

 

 

STANDARDS

New York State Standards:

Standard 1:    Analysis, Inquiry, and Design

Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.

Standard 2:   Information Systems

Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies.

Standard 3:   Mathematics

Students will understand mathematics and become mathematically confident by communicating and reasoning mathematically, by applying mathematics in real-world settings, and by solving problems through the integrated study of number systems, geometry, algebra, data analysis, probability, and trigonometry.

Standard 5:   Technology

Students will apply technological knowledge and skills to design, construct, use, and evaluate products and systems to satisfy human and environmental needs.

Standard 6:   Interconnectedness: Common Themes

Students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning.

Standard 7:   Interdisciplinary Problem Solving

Students will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of mathematics, science, and technology to address real-life problems and make informed decisions.