Clifton Elementary School, Cincinnati,
Ohio
In Cincinnati, schools that do not improve student performance during a two-year period become eligible for redesign. Redesigned schools are closed and then reopened with a new group of teachers, a coherent instructional design and curriculum, and a new organizational structure. At Clifton Elementary School in Cincinnati, the district took this opportunity to make the most of Clifton's existing resources by targeting the creation of class sizes of 15 or fewer students. First, the district combined all support and instructional resources to create smaller class sizes. Then it added support using available funds and creative strategies.
To create class sizes of 15 students at Clifton school, the district eliminated all instructional aides and converted the allocated dollars to hire more teachers. In addition, a guidance counselor and 1.5 social workers were eliminated to pay for additional teachers. The school partnered with social service agencies to provide some of the lost social services. Teachers, who then had smaller class sizes, were able to take on more personal, advisory roles with students. All Title I funds were used for classroom teachers, and one of two special education resource teachers became a classroom teacher of both regular and special-needs students.
| Number of Pupils per Teacher and per Staff in Cincinnati Public Schools 1997-1998 |
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Reprinted with permission of Karen Hawley Miles and New American Schools.
