Kevin Reynolds/ Roundup
The Los Angles Community College District (LACCD) has set caps on the number of students allowed to enroll in any class.
The reason for this is to ensure that students are getting the proper amount of attention from their teachers. The problem with this is that while the class sizes are decreasing, so is the number of classes being offered.
How are students supposed to complete their required courses in a timely manner when they can’t get into the classes they need?
I understand the reasoning behind maintaining class sizes, but without offering more classes, the plan is a bust for students.
While talking to other students around campus I’ve found divided opinions on the issue. However, most students agree that getting the classes they need has become increasingly difficult.
“There were fifty plus people trying to add into each of my classes,” said Rachel Stern, a 20-year-old psychology major. “It’s terrible; so many people are not getting into the classes they want, if any at all.”
I also had trouble getting into my classes, and I registered the first day I was able to. I think if they want to limit the number of students per classroom, they should at least offer more classes.
With budgetary restraints, the schools cannot afford to offer as many classes as the student body needs. Until the classes can be offered, I feel it should be up to the teachers’ discretion as to how many students are allowed in their classes.
Just with what I’ve seen from people I know, students who have a hard time getting into classes early on are more likely to drop out.
When you just finished high school and already want to take a break, not getting into classes you need will make you feel like you’re wasting your time.
With the job market as bad as it is right now, having students lose the resources and motivation to finish school can only make things worse. I feel we should hold off on lowering class sizes to keep students in school, at least until the economy picks back up.
“I think it’s nice that we don’t have as many students in the class room,” said Justin Taylor, a 24- year-old English major, “But until the schools can offer more classes I think it’s hurting more students than its helping.”
With students not being able to get into the classes they need it will take them longer to graduate. Taking longer to graduate means longer before students can enter the work force. This also means longer to climb up the corporate ladder.