27 Kindergarteners vs 15 Kindergarteners

Just looking at the numbers, one would intuitively lean toward the 15 kids as an easier class.  Having finished a six week sub job with 27 and moving almost immediately to sub in a class of 15, I found they are about equal. 

The 27 kids are all well supported at home with caring and engaged parents.  Most had pre-school (not daycare) before coming into Kindergarten and know their alphabet.  The class of 15 is almost completely the opposite.  They are not supported at home or have both parents working long hours.  They may have had daycare but very few had pre-school.  They come into Kindergarten needing to learn how to sit in circle time. When I give out instructions to the 27 kids (like sit in a circle), I can expect them understand what I mean and figure out how to sit in a circle around the carpet.  I can make no such assumptions for the class of 15.  Yes.  They are from different schools, different neighborhoods, and pull from different socio-economic demographics.

I give credit to the principals and administrators who recognize the different needs of their constituency and structure the classes to offer the right support.

A Tale of Two Principals

...and two cultures.  I just subbed for 5 days in a quaint neighborhood school.  The principal is very strict with discipline.  Kids who misbehave get sent to line up at the gym during recess.  There they recite their sins to the principal or an admistrator and then sit out their break.  I see a line there every recess.  If a kid is extra recalcitrant, they get sent to the "blue" chairs in front of the office to await a one on one talk.  A kid asked me a good question I was not able to answer so I referred him to the principal.  He recoiled in horror because he associated her with the "blue" chair.  The kids are generally well behaved and very respectful at this school.

I taught at another school where some kids had a disagreement and asked me if I could release them to the principal because they trust him to be a just and compassionate arbitrator.  Kids in the playground K-5 would ask him to come play with them during recess.  He is a skilled jump rope holder.  The kids are generally well behaved and respectful in this school.

Most school cultures fall in between; however, these two extremes provoked much thought.  The disciplined school tempted me to be a lazier teacher as I can pass off disciplining kids to the system.  I was able to enjoy the few short breaks I have instead of addressing behavior issues during those times.  Tough tradeoffs.  Here's some other information.  The disciplined school has over 70% free and reduced lunch with significant minority population; they have trouble starting a PTA.  The school with the kid friendly principal has 9% on free and reduced lunch with a population of 80% caucasion students; they have a very active PTA and many parents who are educators themselves.  I wonder if the principals' styles would be effective if they traded schools.