Big Cuts For Umatilla Schools
UMATILLA - The kids in this McNary Elementary Classroom enjoy learning 185 days a year - usually. Not next year - KEPR has learned, the district slashed ten days from the school year to save money.
"Unfortunately, it cuts out the reason lots of us teach. Fun activities and the hands-on activities. Those things are gone because we have to drill more for the kids to be ready for the tests," said teacher Mary Buckallew.
Like the Adequate Yearly Progress test. This year, Umatilla schools reached a 60 percent passing level. Next year, 70 percent must pass. The backwards part of this, if the school actually fails to reach the mark two years in a row, the state gives them $60,000.
Now, the AYP tests will be harder with six less teachers.
"It's going to hurt programs. Those of us that are not losing our jobs will be working overtime to keep the kids on the pace they are at," said Buckallew.
Parents of these kids are concerned as well.
"As a parent, I'm very worried. It will affect the kids education. The class sizes will get bigger since there are less days of school. They won't have the one on one attention they have now with the teachers. That makes me worried this will affect their future and education," said parent Dora Molina.
The district told me its average class size now is around 25 kids. Next year, that jumps to 30 and teachers just have to adapt.
"The best thing we can do is try to prepare the kids as best we can. With the 10 days, it will be hard. As educators, hopefully we can cram it in," said teacher Tim Young.
"Unfortunately, it cuts out the reason lots of us teach. Fun activities and the hands-on activities. Those things are gone because we have to drill more for the kids to be ready for the tests," said teacher Mary Buckallew.
Like the Adequate Yearly Progress test. This year, Umatilla schools reached a 60 percent passing level. Next year, 70 percent must pass. The backwards part of this, if the school actually fails to reach the mark two years in a row, the state gives them $60,000.
Now, the AYP tests will be harder with six less teachers.
"It's going to hurt programs. Those of us that are not losing our jobs will be working overtime to keep the kids on the pace they are at," said Buckallew.
Parents of these kids are concerned as well.
"As a parent, I'm very worried. It will affect the kids education. The class sizes will get bigger since there are less days of school. They won't have the one on one attention they have now with the teachers. That makes me worried this will affect their future and education," said parent Dora Molina.
The district told me its average class size now is around 25 kids. Next year, that jumps to 30 and teachers just have to adapt.
"The best thing we can do is try to prepare the kids as best we can. With the 10 days, it will be hard. As educators, hopefully we can cram it in," said teacher Tim Young.
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