| # | Name | Comments |
|---|
| 1 | Amber Bonner | |
| 2 | David Bonner | |
| 3 | Marilyn Simister | In our efforts to contact out members during the voucher referendum, the number one issue that parents brought up over and over again was their concern over large class sizes. Utah PTA has chose it as our #1 educational priority. |
| 4 | Holly Langton, Education Commissioner Utah PTA | What can small classes offer that will improve the education of Utah’s children?
• Improved classroom atmosphere, students receive more individualized attention and teachers have more flexibility to use different instructional approaches/assignments.
• Fewer students to distract each other; lower level of noise.
• Teachers are able to know their students better and can offer more extra help, recognizing learning problems/special educational needs.
• Classrooms that have fewer discipline problems. By spending less time on discipline, teachers report spending more time on instruction. |
| 5 | kim mckone | |
| 6 | Sharon Edlefsen | |
| 7 | Anonymous | |
| 8 | Suzie Farley | |
| 9 | Dianne Stewart | |
| 10 | Tyler Slack | Class size reduction is not the end-all be-all, but it's someplace to start and we need to start now before 40 per class is common place. The issues that our education system face are complex, but reduced class size is common ground that I think everyone can agree on! I sign this petition not to say that this is THE solution, but instead to say let's do SOMETHING! I appreciate the PTA for what they stand for and what they do for all children. Thank you! |
| 11 | Carmen Snow | We hear from the legislature that it is to costly. Lets think smarter. Instead of starting new programs and keep adding money to them each year we need to start doing something now. Representative Morgan made an ammendment to 1st sub.S.B.2 Minimum School Program-Budget Amendment with a k-3 class size reduction, but the bill failed.
We know from polls taken class size reduction is what the parents want and the children need. |
| 12 | Carmen Snow | We hear from the legislature that it is to costly. Lets think smarter. Instead of starting new programs and keep adding money to them each year we need to start doing something now. Representative Morgan made an ammendment to 1st sub.S.B.2 Minimum School Program-Budget Amendment with a k-3 class size reduction, but the bill failed.
We know from polls taken class size reduction is what the parents want and the children need. |
| 13 | Ronda Rose | We can make smaller class size happen by using ideas outside the box and putting our money where it counts. |
| 14 | Liz Zentner | |
| 15 | Lisa Shepherd | |
| 16 | Barb McClellan | Please limit class sizes. My son is like a number in his Jr High School classes and as such is getting further and further behind in his subjects. I am forced to pay money for outside tutoring each week which should also be reimbursed through my Federal and State Taxes, since regular tax money isn't being spent wisely to help my son learn. |
| 17 | Derek Langton | Smaller classes are a necessity for Utah school children. They are also needed to help retain teachers. Teachers leaving the profession because of unmanageable class sizes are costing this state a lot of money. Policy makers need to look at the big picture and all the costs involved. |
| 18 | Rose West | |
| 19 | Heather Slack | |
| 20 | Griffin | |
| 21 | Joyce Muhlestein | This very important issue must continually be addressed until we see the data to support the intent and results of the class-size reduction initiative have actually been acomplished.
We have made some progress over the past few years and while encouraging, it is evident that we need to explore and take action on long term solutions rather than short term approachs to apease this continuting concern. It is time! |
| 22 | Erin Cooper | Time is ticking, every public school child needs the huge class sizes alleviated now! It is cruel that 45 students are in high school Geometry classes, it is delusional to assume 30 second graders are receiving all they need, no matter how fabulous their teacher is. Utah should be ashamed that our test scores are not higher, just passing is not what we should aspire to. |
| 23 | Michelle Kendall | |
| 24 | Tiffany Rhodes | |
| 25 | Stephanie Garahana | |
| 26 | Mary Ann Battle | Anecdotal evidence of effect of class size: I correct math time tests for our fourth grade class. One day, half the class was doing lunch server duty. I never had more kids pass off a test as I did that day and I had the kids who usually do not pass off still in class. Large classes are very distracting to kids and make it hard for them to concentrate on the work at hand. |
| 27 | Elizabeth Phillips | |
| 28 | Carrie Jane Wallace | Here's my two cents on my wholehearted support for education system change. We already have the resources for much higher quality public education without breaking the budget. Until the students needs are truly front and center and we learn to cut out the waste in our current system I don't expect much real change. Class sizes are part of the issue to be sure, and we really need leaders, from the classroom to the boardroom, who aren't willing to accept business as usual. |
| 29 | Sara | |
| 30 | Shellie Herman | |
| 31 | Amber Schwartz | |
| 32 | Lizeth loya | |
| 33 | kay allad | Thank you PTA for placing students before the dollar |
| 34 | Sandra Kresser | |
| 35 | Ronda Dowden | It only makes sense to have smaller class size. It benefits children with a more "hands-on" education. Children are happier, Teachers are more productive and can see the efforts of their hard work. Class size reduction should be at the top of the problem solving list to better education. |
| 36 | DIXIE SMITH | |
| 37 | Erika Taylor | |
| 38 | Carol Lynne Thurgood | |
| 39 | Melanie Thompson | |
| 40 | Sarah Malin-Craft | |
| 41 | Anna Clare Shepherd | Please make class size reduction a real priority. It greatly enhances learning and builds child self-esteem by helping them realize they are important individuals, not just numbers in a system. This change needs to take place now and continue until we have reached a more optimum level for learning. Thanks. |
| 42 | Taylor Couvreur | |
| 43 | Katherine Broadhead | |
| 44 | Anonymous | |
| 45 | Jessica Hill | |
| 46 | Marko Mijic | This is a great idea! We have to step up and ensure that our children have the opportunity to receive the best possible education so that they are prepared for the future. |
| 47 | Elyse Arrington | As an aspiring teacher and having had experience in classrooms both big and small, I feel very strongly that smaller class sizes are essential in teaching effectively and helping students retain information. It also supports students' self-esteem as they feel actively engaged when attention is directed specifically on them. |
| 48 | Diana Bevan | This is an effort we must focus on every year. |
| 49 | Dhiraj Chand | |
| 50 | Katie Miller | |