‘i R t ? PAGE Ad, THE HERALD, Wednesday, October 16, 1974 > Trustees Critical of Class Size Research — If you think the class sizeissue tS Tesolved In B.C., guess again. When the province's 24,000 school teachers returned to their classrooms this fall, most of them faced fewer students and a deal of pressure to show belter results than last year, The reason is the success of the argument in favor of smaller classes. Teachers have been told that somehow, there is a con nection between: smaller classes and student performance. This conclusion is based mainly on the work of Dr. Norman Olson, a researcher [rom Columbia University, whose study was quoted exlensively by the B.C. Teachers’ Federation a year ago in support of (heir campaign for smaller classes. On the surface, Dr, Olson's work, and the BCTF's inlerpretaiion . of it, looked pretly convincing. Convincing enough, in fact, to prompt Minister af Education Eileen Dailly to add exlra maney to school district budgets-to reduce class sizes, Over the past three months Dr. Marsha Trew, Assistant Director of Education for tha BCSTA has uncovered seriaus problems with Olsan's research which case a different light on the nalion that smaller class sizes produce educational quality. Her findings were included in a brief presented to the Select Standing Committee of the Legislature on Health, Educalion.and ' Human Resources, al its final sitting in Salmon ‘Arm anSepf. 17. THE STING ja her conclusions, Dr. Trew jains other scholars who have been critical of the class size argument. Dr. John Ellis of Simon Fraser University's Faculty of Education has termed the BCTF's sum-- He also condemned the _-- mary of Olson's research “a snow job.”’ research itself because of some’ inherent weaknesses and un-, justified conelusions.” “From all appearances, Ihe BCTF, overcome with excitement ar discovering the Olson sludy, were viclims of self-deception,’ says Dr. Trew. ‘The evidence they used and often abused was a setrelive, incestuous body of research, riddled with practical : shortcomings.” She added, however, thal the BCTF wasn't the only group wo be laken in. “Unfortunately, the public's and the teachers’ great expectalions are in reality a result of the BCTF's ‘sting’.” . Inhis research, Olson used ascale developed by a group af. fellow. graduate sludents. Work on the scale began in 1962. when one graduale student ‘surveyed public epinion in a number of Uniled States schoal districts. In his survey he asked whal characteristics were associated wilh ‘ta good school," Other graduate students conlinued work on the topic uniil they developed a 51-itam scale, related to individualizalion, creativity, group process, and interpersonal regard. Two olhergraduate’ students, Coble and Olson, sought to see if the Sl-item scale was related tusuch things as the sex of the teacher, subject laught, and class size, Between 1962 and 1972, one professor supervised the work of al least 11 graduate students whe were developing or applying what they labelled ‘Indicators of Quality." “A review of journals usually read by (he education community ~ revealed ho articles on Indicators of Quality,” according to Dr. Trew. “In fact, the seale itself and ihe user’s manual are not published and they are not available to rasearchers."’ - Consequently. Dr. Trew added, ‘lt is not surprising that the seale has neither been critiqued nor used by any scholar oytside- the original group of graduale students.” PROBLEMS WITH TIEE RESEARCH | ‘In addition (o its incestuous nature, the body af research “surrounding Indicators of Quality is rife with problems, says Dr. Trew. The scale claims 10 ‘measure how teachers and ‘sudents' ‘det ” togelher. An unknown adult walks into a classroom, slays 25 tinules to mark 51 items, and then leaves, The researchers assume that the'leachers and students will nol be affecled by an unknown visitor watching them. They assume that what the ob- server sees and how the teacher and students behave is lypical or Iruly reflecis what usvaily happens in that classroom.” Dr. Trew stressed that neither of these assumplions is juslified. ‘Any cohesive group would be affected. The 51-item: seale is scored either plus or minus, or not al all - similar lo taking a rue-false examination. This means thal no mater whal range of behaviour: the observer sees, he can only mark plus or minus. For example, under the category Number of Activities, the classroom observer would choose belween “dne - activity. anly, some pupils do‘ nol participate’ and: “all pupils pariicipate in more than one aclivily.". Whal would the observer mark, then, if oll pupils participate in one activity only? Another problem, according lo Dr. Trew, is that observers, like witnesses in court, lend lo disagree wilh zach other on what. they see. Coble, for instance, found that his observers were sometimes unable lo agree on the grade they were observing, how many ‘sludents were in the classroom, the subject being taught, [he ‘general style of teaching acitivily, and even (he sex of lhe leachers. : ieee Ss os. Care “IRRELEVANT IN B.C, Even if (hese problems could be discounted, Dr, Trew 7 ead the Indicators of Quality research is simply nol relevant to the goals of education in B.C, “Indicators of Quality is nat linked to educational outcome, academic progress, or achlevement.of any kind,” she - said, "Yet the BCTF survey of adult ‘public opinion found ‘basic skilis such as reading and writing’ to be the most important goals.” THE ‘SNIFF°TEST “Indicators of Quality does not measure achievement or how fast a student progresses from one level to the next,” according to Dr. Trew. ‘Ll only purporis (o show how well the teachers and students acl together, 11 is rather like buying a racehorse on the basis of which one smells the best, assuming that the best smell predicts the best and therefore the fastest horse.’ _The BCTF campaign to reduce class size and pupil leacher ratios culminated this spring when the Minister of Education made a commitment lo reduce class size that Dr. Trew feels will inilially cost the B.C. taxpayers al least $30 million by the end of next year. Another important outcome of ihe campaign is (hal teachers have been led ta expect thal they will be able to teach better when less shackled by class size problems. And similarly, parents have been led lo expect greater academic progress from their children. Parental expectatians are documented in the February BCTF Newsletter which contains the results from their public opinion ‘survey on education in B.C. They found that 45 percent supported ‘elags size reductions because they think present classes are too large, students are nol receiving enough attention, and smaller classes would make a difference (o the achievement and progress of students,” . DAILLY COMMENTS Olsen commented in his thesis that he felt class size was a problern “because It imposes certain restricuions and limits on our perceptions,” . But in an addresss to the Canadian Educatién Association annual meeting last spring, Education Minister Eileen Dailly said that it was her understanding that ‘lhe single variable affecting quality learning is the instructional style displayed by the individual teacher in the classroom.’ She went on to Say that in- ~ structional style is not necessarily related to class size. - Praof of what the minister said comes fram the very source used by the BCTF in their campaign. In their perusal of Olson's work, “the BCTF were intrigued that, certain teaching styles scored higher than others," Dr. Trew said. These styles included in- dividual, small groups and lab work, discussion and pupil reports. The BCTF claims that these teaching styles “cannot be used regularly by most teachers in this province because their classes are too large.” “Not even Olson's data would support (his statement,” said Dr. Trew. ‘The use of high or low scoring styles is independent of class size. The ihree highest. Scoring \eaching slyles were used as often in large classes as in small. This was also true of the three lowest scoring, teaching slyles."" . WIIERE BO WE STAND? Inthe final analysis, Dr. Trew says thal“ what we have is a body of research thal has been ignored by other researchers because it -failed to pass minimal standards of adequacy, ° On top of that, the research has been misinterpreted by the-BCTF in their campaign -. to lower class size and pupil teacher ratios: And the crown on top of the entire issue is worth around $30 million dollars in \axpayers' money Lo support a single program that rests on a rather shaky foundation. Dr. Trew made another point. “If we are lotake the Indicators of Quality at face value, as the BCTF has done, then some. addilional policies should also be considered, based ony! ihe olher findings from Olson's study’ 7° r ~ give. grade 10 ‘students a year off becat the scale; .. - : ~ eliminate Monday classes because they Scored toolow; vt ~ rename all the days in the school week either Thursday or Friday because these are; high searing. days, according lo In- dicators of Quality; .- grade” 1Oraled | x on” ' _ eliminate math, composition, history, foreign language from the ‘secondary school curriculum; ~ no more tests, movies, television, or seal work because (hese slyles of activilies scored low; , ~ spend all classroom’ time in discussisn, small groups, in- dividual and lab group because they scored high; ~- eliminate leave of absence for illness or conferences from the . (eachers’ contracls because the use of subsiitutes or sludent teachers scored low onthe Indicators of Qualily scale,” ’ _ CLASS SIZE_ONE OF MANY FACTORS “Those of us interested in education in BC. welcome: thé provincial government's altention {o pupil teacher ratios. However, class size and pupil teacher ralio reduetions should in no way be seen as THE answer lo problems i in education,” Dr. Trew concluded. “If student achievement is truly lo be impraved, and If: ihe opportunities presented by the reductions are to be fully’ realized, there needs tabeaction over a much broader front.” Dear sin: . _ “The hurricane disaster which struck Honduras last month has lef’. approximately 10,000 persons dead and as-many as 350,000 homeless * and ‘totally desiitute. CARE, the international relief agency, is (here and. has been since hours after the hurricanesiruck, Indevastaled San Pedro Sula, CARE's Honduran Director said, “The people of this once-bustling ling city _ uf 130,000 spent the firs! night after the hurricane in (the cold, dark silence, the only sounds being lhe constant rain and the sobbing of children,” CARE: workers imimediaiely . sel-up an emergency feeding” program berrowing supplies from the organization's regular school feeding | program. Nurses fram the CARE- 'MEDICO hospital af Choluleca moved into the stricken area ta ; carry out emergency niedical aid including anti-lyphoid in- -\ ready-lo-eal cooking oil,. milk powder: and : jections. , Since then: CARE has. , “rushed ‘nearly $300,000 in emergency supplies into the disasler zone. “foods; fleur, cooking ulensils, CARE urgently. Tequires ; donations to cover the cost of - supplies already’ sent (o Hon- duras and more which must follow in the days, weeks and even months ahead, “Because - CARE has been operating feeding, self-help and medical PUBLISHER. it GORDON, W, HAMILTON, . , “SPORTS se ‘(MARK HAMILTON the herald 635-6357 | A weekly: published by Sterling Publications Ltd.- Pubilshed every Wednesday at 3212 Kalum St, . Terrace, B.C, Amamber of Varified circulation. Authorized as second class mail. Postage paid In cash, return number 1201, postage guaranteed, _ EDITOR. at PAT. O’DONAGHY NOTE OF COPYRIGHT | “The ‘isk mina full, complete and sold copyright in any advertisement produced aia ar. editorial or photographic contant published in the Herald. Reproduction 1s not. permitted © “without the written permission af the Publisher. . Ragistration ADVERTISING «+ KAREN LANGLEY . CIRCULATION ° ELREEN TOOVEY . These include: _ programs In Honduras for some . years, it has {ts own people on “the spot ready. to distribute the __ emergency supplies as they arrive, ‘Donations- ‘may be'-sent. lo’ . CARE. of Canada, Honduras Relief, P.O. Box 86668, North Vancouver, B,C. V7L 4L2. Yours with thanks Glen Ringdal. - B.C, Director CARE of f Camida , | © wae) The Four-Way Test Of the things we think, Jay or do. ‘1. Is it the TRUTH? 2-15 it FAIR to all: concerned? | 3, Will # build GOOD - WILL and ‘BETTER, _ FRIENDSHIPS? 4% Witlitbe BENEFICIAL _ foall concerned?’ 9000 ; communists Letters ta the Editor \ . Dear Editor: ' Jeff Marvin was here. He spoke. about. China's com- munism. How did he get here? Did Manpower invite him? "Did he speak in the name of Man- power? If. this is.so then it is interesting to learn where part of cur tax money goes, it is being used by Manpower to spread the gospel of com- munism. Manpower involved in politics, Yes, it seems that way. Manpower, the greal new — vanguard for communism ‘in: Canada. Yes, this is the truth: ; 9000 dedicated, trained, selected communist” letters punishment (almost), bul in China It is the system of the day. “Marvin of Canada Manpower also said ; ‘There is a sense of " securily among the people,” This is a fine example of the famous communist method of brainwashing. _.Qne starts believing his own ties, . If there is such a sense of security how can Mr. Marvin explain the great exodus still going on to Hong Kong by millions of fearful people? Why does the government of. the Peoples ‘Republic keep its borders closed and can crossing by done only secretly? “Security” if. people cannot think for themselves any longer, make. their: own decisions, and adhere: to their own religious: - heliefs? “Security” if the almighty State tules your: brains and: your heart?’ ‘'Security" when the __Mopagandists from Red China | State closes. the churches, ~ WiIL., eventually,..enter..lhe.., persecute, (he. christians , and, Canadian labour market.” They: irefuse-to allaw vany: missionary. are invited by;the Government. . will ‘undoubtedly. use our freedom to-take our freedom from us.’ The freedom of speech, the freedom of religion, the freedom of prass,. the . freedom of art and education, the freedom of gathering, the freedom to strike, the freedom -- to think for yourselves. Is it true what Jeff Marvin. of Canada Manpower says about Red China? Do Canadians have a distorted view of that land?. Is our view based on a myth we have to gel over ... or on facts? Are the people not the puppets - of the almighty Slate; we believe they are? 7+: Jeff. Marvin of Canada Manpower said: .The losers of the*(political) struggle were not sholen masse”, This is a myth, _ - The fact is that millions of in-” hocent Chinese people were | ‘Murdered _ revolution. during the Jeff. Marvin of Canada Manpower said; “Women’s feet prior to the revolution had been crippled by, binding the toes under the heel with cloth _and splints, ta make them walk ‘difficult and to keep Ihem close | ‘to. home". Another fairy tale, The Christian mission: discouraged: the practice Iong aga, The custom was not more than a fashion’ to .allow aristocratic women .to have beautiful small feet, a Jeff Marvin of Canada Manpower also said: “Slums . are a major feature of Hong " Kong, while they are non- existant.. cities”. The truth is: Jeff. Marvin, the, little boy, was ‘not permitted to see these slums. - A foreigner cannot move around freely in China. They have something to hide, you see. A visitor can only go where the government lel him go. And don't you dare ta‘make pictures without their permissign, There are very. many slums in- Red China and there are poor people’ all over the country, The fact ’ {hat millions of freedom loving Chinese people fled to the cily of Hong Kong is {he very reason for the existance of the slums (here, The’ communists -lhemselves created them, .Why “bre there beggars and criminals In Hong Kong and not in Red China? Because the govern- ment of China does with them what Hitler did with the Jews: they simply get killed, Ohno, ° they don't shoot you. You just “get sick by.a mysterious cause ‘and die. A:very easy way to handle the'problem.- In Canada we give criminals a fair chance and we also, got rid of capital of Canada. These communists in other Chinese" This is just another lie. - acilvity? . Communism is more than-an économical or political system. tH. fosters imperialism of- ine’ mind. - It colonizes the’ heart of men. Il is a philogophy, it is a way of life, it is a religion, a monopely religion, The State is Ged and and the one that does not’serve this god wholahear- ledly is bound to get buried very fast. Communism is -s6 lotalilarian and- undemocratic in essence that there is no room for any other ‘religion or .any- other philosophy or any other. ~way, af. life, Everything is “forced: into one mold, liveless, colourless, Discrimination is , the very bases for the survival. of communism, ‘Alexander Solzhenitsin shows this in the ~ several “books -he wrote and ‘ most clearly in ‘‘The Gulag Archipelago"... There is no difference here between Russia and Chinat It is the same old system af oppression, Com. . ‘'munism bans Jesus Christ,-the - Prince of Peace and King of the Universe, fromall pheres of life; . “public and private. . And thal rejecting of Him and His Kingdom will-eventually cause - - its very downfall. * Bill Homburiz, Terrace, B.C. Weight ~ watchers On behalf of the People and Government :0f British Columbia | would like to extend ‘best: wishes | lo ‘the? National ‘Open Meeting” Month: of (he Weight Walchers Association to be held from Seplember 30 ta Oclober 20, This event will lake place acress (he country and will give weight-conscious people the opportunily la learn what goes on ala regular Weight Wat- Batt wilh tell you what life is all about, Take olf wilh this now _ presence of the” Lord Jesusiis} ’ Share this joy with others do, Martin’ Graebner ehfor just : ’ Greece, theatre has played | ignores gay life that God gives you free -of ‘charge, Forget the gimmicks,to success, Listen to what God is saying to you through Jesus: nM love you". You don't have to “walk a mile" fer. His love.: God has. handed this. new life to yous There are no quarters. or box tops !o send in to receive this gift. Its here, paid for and delivered io you by Jesus himself, All you need to dois accept the gift and allow yaur Lord to wark through, you ito others. © One of- the best*slogans I've: heard ina long time comes from the Bible, Isaiah: 43:1,; where God says: “Ihave called you by name; you are Mine’. . i ‘Thal's good enough for me." And for you loo. ‘This message of Him is especially for people wha have also. had.‘ enough: jumps in life. So, laugh al the commercials, ‘but continue to” build your life on ihe power and: ' General Delivery. Terrace, B.C.. oo Theatre in The Editor: ie Sir: if BE . Having walked aut after the - 2nd Act of the opaning play of. . ihe Little Theaire season, which: - Thad the misfortune to attend in. - the company of my three young - grandchildren, [ wish lo express my strong disapproval of the: choice of play and ararrent This is the first Little Theatre) . production I have seen here and - lL regret to.say thal. 1-found ‘it both disgustitig and degrading, That..a. competent. group . of actors. should waste their talents on such an, indifferent vehicle, and one which deals ad nauseam with sex at a very crude jevel, is bad enough; bul (o do-se before an audience composed, to'a large extent of. - young children is, in,my vi A both reprehensivel and inex- cusable.. Such.a- performance should be restricted la a mature - audience and advertised in such: a way thal children, and: (hose others who still possess what’ -musl, alas, be considered “old fashioned" values,,- can be: warned, and slay away,, found? little in the play lo recommend. One would certainly have: thetught thal. the exclusiye: theme of:séx Would have palled: by this time, And how does one explain to a young ‘child, who: may have been punished for” using bad language,‘ that: it is “not only acceptable on the stage’ bul even clicits lound guffaws’. from grown men and women?, Since ‘the ‘days “of "ancien : Canadian’ Little Theatre Broups. “have often provided virtually. the only means by ‘which one, could e@njoy the: legitimate: stage, and have'‘been a.. -Tespected and valued part of the: artistic life of a city, In-com-: - munilies such as Terrace ,and; ” Kitimat, where éhterlaitiment: (olher than sports) is so Hmilted, ; they have: a moral respoy-: sibility’ to" use . -sonie. discrimination in the choice of plays. Where young people ate’ sure lo forma large par! of the audience -it is .a- “responsibility, which Little ‘theatres ‘cannot Yours truly. (Mrs: ) Ernst AY Kaise