Teacher-student ratios can be misinterpreted

Teacher-student ratioscan be misinterpreted
EDITOR:
I am writing in response to a Jan. 23 Vindicator story that said, "a state report shows that Youngstown has too many classroom teachers." The interpretation of that "report" provided to the public through The Vindicator by the treasurer of the Youngstown City Schools is both inappropriate and misleading.
The "state report" is a financial statement, published on the Ohio Department of Education Web site known as the SF-3 Report. Line 10A of the SF-3 Report is supposed to be used to determine the amount of fines a district is assessed by ODE if that particular district's ratio of students to teachers is above the state maximum (of 25 students to 1 teacher, which, by the way, an ODE school finance official characterizes as "bare-bones"). The purpose of Line 10A is not to provide data for use in constructing an argument that a particular school district s overstaffed.
If one compares the Line 10A results of districts the like-size of Youngstown across Ohio, one would not find a district that would be sanctioned by ODE for exceeding the maximum ratio. In fact, in an analysis of other Mahoning Valley districts, one would find no district that would face such a fine. In other words, using the treasurer's (faulty) analysis, all districts have too many classroom teachers. That's absurd.
Why are districts staffed at ratios below the state maximum? There are two generic reasons, and neither, sadly, is considered by ODE when it mandates a maximum ratio of 25 students to 1 teacher. The reasons are curriculum and scheduling.
The Youngstown City School District is currently involved in the small school reform initiative, the goal of which is to keep students in school and help them to graduate. Implicit in this initiative is smaller class sizes, so that students and teachers can develop closer and more meaningful relationships. The high schools in Youngstown offer Advanced Placement classes, providing students the opportunity to earn college credit while fulfilling their high school requirements. There are unidentified special needs students in the district, and these students need the closer attention of teachers. There are various reading initiatives going on in elementary schools in the district, some mandated by the so-called No Child Left Behind Act. Many of these are unfunded mandates -- required by law but with no money provided in order to enact the requirements.
School districts cannot be very effective as bare-bones operations. The children of Youngstown deserve a quality, top-notch, competitive education. The teachers of the district will continue daily to provide quality, top-notch learning environments for the children of the city.
WILLIAM BAGNOLA, president
Youngstown Education Association
Don't buckle to terrorists
EDITOR:
A Jan. 26 letter praises Congressman Tim Ryan for his recent trips to China and Israel, but also expresses concern over the congressman's recognition of Israel's technological success and his interest in benefiting our Valley with jobs created with that technology. I don't understand the problem.
The main point of the letter seems to be that the opinions of terrorists on issues of American foreign policy must be followed to avoid disastrous results such as seen on Sept. 11 or in Vietnam. I strongly disagree that the United States should ever become a prisoner to our enemies' efforts to intimidate our government or us.
If there is a chance to bring jobs and additional dollars to our community, I would hope we could all work together to make that happen.
JEFF FIFE
Warren