DECEMBER 2013

POPULATION
CONTROL
More expected to enter an already crowded school
BRENDAN COFFEY
OPINION EDITOR

PRO

he problem with overpopulation may be over exaggerated. The population growing is not something thats fixable just within Langley; its a
global situation that Im sure schools are experiencing all over the world.
With the worlds population crossing six billion just last year, it should come
as no surprise that its going to get a little crowded sooner
or later. However, the baby boom from years ago had FCPS
within the
blast radius, and now our
county is growing at an
Langleys growth spurt is not
annual rate of 3,000 new
a bad thing, as I feel it couldnt
students per year.

Langleys growth
have come at a better time.
spurt is not a bad thing,
as I feel it couldnt have
come at a better time. New
renovations are on the way, and I feel that this will improve Langleys size
and stature. Classroom sizes will be increased, but more importantly, lockers
should be removed to increase the width of the hallways. I feel like I mow
down at least ten freshmen a day just trying to get to my next class.

Also, class sizes already average about twenty five to thirty kids,
a huge amount when you think about it. If the classes were to grow by five
or even ten students, would anyone feel a difference in the lack of attention were all already feeling during class? During classes, teachers like to
assume everyone is on board with the material and
sailing smoothly, and few pit stops for questions are
made. These same teachers however are also very
open; making sure students who require help receive
it after class or after school. I feel that students who
need help will always be able to find it one way or
another. Plus, the new five or ten kids in classes
mean more peer help, especially since were all
squished together like a student sandwich.

The next wave of freshmen , although at
first seeming like a teachers worst nightmare, can
bring positive effects to Langley. Once our school
passes 2,000 students, we should receive additional benefits like another assistant principal
or new teachers. The county cannot ignore
the situation once we have so many kids
that theyre coming out of the walls and
being pressed against the glass front
office in a few years.

NEEKA EGHBALI
FEATURE EDITOR

OPINION 17

CON

aiting patiently for thirty minutes during Saxon Time in a sea of eager
students lined up to review a critical assignment, the bell for the next
period suddenly rings. I feel a pang of disbelief, wondering when I will get the
chance to review my test. It might seem like the problem is easily repairable,
but according to FCPS superintendent Dr. Karen Garza, the
issue of overcrowded classrooms is bound to get worse.
As I listened and participated in the Superintendents Press
Conference with Student Journalists
I couldnt help but think of on November 20 with Dr. Garza,
how inconvenienced students I couldnt help but think of how
inconvenienced students are at
are at high schools with high schools with overcrowded
overcrowded classrooms. classrooms. Evidently, controlling
the annual population increase is as
difficult as it sounds, but when it is
affecting a students future and academic success, Im not quite convinced that
the end justifies the means.
The issue, as I mentioned, is only getting worse. Dr. Garza admitted that as
weve continued to grow, our needs and our growth have far exceeded state
revenue. It will be difficult to afford the addition of new classrooms and
teachers with the overwhelming $140 million budget deficit in Fairfax County
Public
Schools. As Dr. Garza stated, theres always a cost to population
growth, placing a greater burden on faculty and staff.
Teachers, especially at Langley, typically have to endure
the pressure of teaching seven classes, sometimes with
multiple subjects. With over 100 students to educate,
devoting time to one student can be a rare occurrence,
all due to overpopulation. Not to mention the
enormous amount of time and energy needed to grade
and evaluate each and every students schoolwork,
which inevitably carries over into the weekend.
To alleviate the stress put on so many teachers and
students, I suggest that the Board of Advisors
and superintendent Garza limit the number of
students in each class by adding new classes to
spread out the population, hire more teachers
to teach these new classes and, in the long
run, revive the one-on-one time every
student needs and deserves with their
teacher, which will make FCPS a great
place to learn.

Did You Know...

1. Budget cuts are the largest problem that FCPS has
anticipated.
2. It has become difficult for FCPS to stay ahead of the
growing population.
3. FCPS increases in size by about 134 classes each year.
4. FCPS plans to expand their health program with
salad bars, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

PHOTO BY XAVIER MARIOTTI

5. FCPS is anticipating a decrease in state revenue by

$21 million.
6. Results for the proposed late start times will be announced in January.
7. FCPS has a menu of optionsa list of ideas that
people have mentioned to the board.
8. FCPS has tried reducing workload based on feedback from teachers.