Even though the formal process of funding education in this province is much more complicated than that, in the end, it does come close to that version. As long as a school district is growing in student enrolment, the system works well. However, if the school district's student population is dropping, as is the case in the City of Toronto, then the school district will be faced with many tough decisions.
One such decision revolves around what to do with schools that have shrinking student populations.
Recent comments coming from Toronto District School Board would indicate the decision is being made to close schools when the population drops too far. From a fiscal standpoint that may be a wise decision, but from an educational perspective, this certainly defeats the whole emphasis of the small school, small class size initiative.
During the 1980s and 1990s, a landmark study was conducted into the effects of small class size.
Project STAR (Student-Teacher Achievement Ratio) conclusively demonstrated the short- as well as the long-term benefits of small class size on elementary-aged students.
The study found the ideal environment for student learning and financial accountability was a class size of 13 to 17 students.
Most elementary schools throughout this province were built with a class size model of 25 to 30 students. School districts are now considering the necessity of closing schools that are only half full but are doing so on the old paradigm model of 25 to 30 students in a class with all students sitting in neat little rows. School boards need to determine maximum student learning and the environment required to achieve that end. They can then develop a model where the financial resources are placed in classrooms that have an optimum size and in turn, in schools that are optimum for student learning - not just half-full based on an outdated model.
Northmount School, where I am principal, has been able to achieve a class size average of eight students. As a private school we do not require or encourage the bureaucracy that comes with publicly funded school districts. We can use most of our tuition fees to directly impact student learning through keeping class size small - and as an extension of the class, keeping the school small.
Perhaps it is time for the publicly funded districts to reconsider its image of "school".
They need to determine what are the most important elements in securing student success. When they do, they then need to accept the findings of studies like Project STAR. This will decrease the overall central bureaucracy associated with school districts and put the individual grant they receive from the province directly into the classroom where its impact on student learning will be significant. Schools will remain open and kids will be well served.
Carmen Mombourquette
Head of Northmount School