Disputes smaller class theory

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I am happy for the school district that voters voted "yes." While this tax on property owners will hit us all, real estate facts support the premise that good schools indeed support good property values. So, in essence, property owners will win despite the tax increase.

I urge the school administration and teachers to be careful with this new largess. We worked hard for our money and we expect good judgment and careful financial stewardship with it.

However, I must take issue with how the bond levy was pitched to the voters. It was stated that smaller classrooms equal better schools. his is not supported by the facts.

Classes in Japan and Singapore, for example, have upward of 45 to 50 students. Yet in a study by the Organization for Economic Development and the Department of Education, U.S. students were not even in the top 10 for math and science in a test done across many countries.

Singapore and Japan were higher than the U.S. scores. The U.S. student performance was abysmal. It seems small classes do not result in better performing students.

May I suggest that readers who are interested in this consult the Wall Street Journal dated Feb. 29, 2008.

Marc Buehler, Aurora