Social studies teachers have expressed frustration over workload disparities as recent data revealed that they teach more and larger classes than their math counterparts.
According to data compiled by US History teacher Matthew Burgoyne and requested by Principal Sah Brown, all social studies and art teachers at JR teach a full schedule of six classes, while 56 percent of math teachers teach five classes or less. In addition, nearly half of social studies teachers teach classes over JR’s average class size, compared to just five percent of math teachers.
“This is not teacher versus teacher,” one teacher told The Beacon. “This is a substantial scheduling issue that has created a situation where employees on the same pay scale have vastly different expectations and responsibilities at work. Additionally, students are not getting the best learning experience.”
“It doesn’t feel like I’m being helped as much in my larger classes,” said senior Dani Jablonski.
Concerned her department is disproportionately impacted, social studies chair Allegra Penny said, “I don’t fault anyone who has more planning periods because I think it’s good and helpful. I think my issue is that the inequities seem to be a burden that falls primarily on my department as opposed to others.”
Many social studies teachers would appreciate another free period. “It would definitely improve my ability to give feedback more quickly, get more grading done here, and even more planning done here,” said social studies teacher Michelle Bollinger. “We all work a lot of hours outside of the contract hours.”
At the Local School Advisory Team (LSAT) meeting on January 28, Brown explained the disparity. AP Precalculus, newly offered in 24-25, is the only precalculus course offered at JR, and he wanted to ensure teachers had adequate time to prepare for students unfamiliar with AP math courses. He added that he “doesn’t see anything wrong with teachers having more planning time.”
Math chair Grant Franke has five classes, which he attributes to being a precalculus teacher and department chair. Penny does not have a free period.
While the average class size is 20 students, the lowest it has been in years, Brown told the LSAT that disparities in class sizes are more prominent this year.
One teacher said, “this year, I’ve had as many as 36 students and as few as six. The six, you’d think some teachers would love that but in reality it’s difficult to develop a classroom community. And when there’s 36 people, the biggest concern is whether there will be chairs and an opportunity for me to offer help.” The WTU’s CBA states that classes should at most have 25 students, but exceptions to this include lack of funds and space. A JR counselor told The Beacon that they put up to 35 students in a class.
“I get distracted a lot more because there is a lot going on and it is hard for the teacher to keep everyone moving,” said Jablonski. She noted that her math classes tend to be smaller.
Franke said, “I have some of the smallest class sizes I’ve ever had as a teacher. This is my 20th year teaching and my class sizes are roughly anywhere between 16 and 25 kids.”
Many teachers believe that scheduling can be improved. “I think our school needs to spend more time in the spring and summer balancing schedules instead of doing it at the start of the school year,” said Franke. Penny added, “I think fundamentally we need to look at what courses we’re offering and if we are providing enough sections. I think a really big part of that is having teachers in the room when scheduling decisions are being made.”
Counselors decide on the number of sections for each course based on the course selection forms distributed to students each spring.
“I’ve been here for several years and there does not seem to be a focus on what the class sizes are when schedules are being done or people request to change classes,” said a teacher. “We’ve been told in a full staff meeting that we are not allowed to contact counselors about class size.”
Currently, DC History is a point of contention because juniors have been placed in the seniors-only course.
