FACTS About ...

 

Split Classes at Crawford School

 

What they say ...

 

The school administration has repeatedly stated that split classes at Crawford School are due to low enrollment and that they detract from children's education.

 

Terre-Haute Tribune Star, 10 Nov 2001, "One consequence of the small enrollment is that the school already has some split-grade classes, in which a teacher has two grade levels in a single classroom. Tanoos envisions even more such classrooms if the school remains open as enrollment continues to decline."

 

Crawford School Study, Memo to Daniel Tanoos from Camilla Correll and John Orr, 20 Nov 2001, "The anticipated enrollment for the 2002-03 school year projects two split classes will be necessary.  The compounding factors of high mobility and low enrollment will result in split classes which is not a recommended best educational practice."

 

Here are the facts ...

 

·                    All these facts are taken from the September 14, 2001 Official Enrollment figures in the Crawford School Study, unless otherwise noted.

·                    Crawford currently has one split class, 1st/2nd grade. 

·                    That's because there are TOO MANY students in certain grades, not too few. 

·                    On September 14, Crawford had 24 first grade students and 24 second-grade students.  This is too many to be accommodated in one classroom for each grade.

·                    As of December 12, Crawford has 27 students in both the 1st grade and 2nd grade.

·                    Several schools with larger enrollments than Crawford have one or more split classes -- Fayette, Franklin, Hoosier Prairie (3), Lost Creek (2), Ouabache (3), Rio Grande (2), and Sugar Grove (3). 

·                    Two of the schools to which Crawford students would be transferred -- Ouabache and Sugar Grove -- have a higher proportion of split classes than Crawford.

·                    Over 70% of GT classes in Vigo County elementary schools are taught in split classes.

 

Ask some questions ...

 

·                    How would declining enrollment result in more split classes?

·                    If split classes result from low enrollments, why do some of the highest enrollment elementary schools in Vigo County -- Lost Creek, Rio Grande, Hoosier Prairie -- have more split classes than Crawford?

·                    If split classes are "not a recommended best educational practice" then why are over 70% of the GT classes in Vigo County elementary schools taught in split classes?

 

We encourage you to read the Crawford School Study.  The FACTS may surprise you!

Contact Farrington’s Grove Historical District, Inc. (478-2314) or Hands Around Crawford (232-3297) or visit our websites at http://home.earthlink.net/~ammisov/fghd.htm or www.geocities.com/savecrawford