Students, teachers looking for solutions to growing class sizes |

CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV)- Classes haven't even started yet at Charlotte-Mecklenburg's Performance Learning Center but already a group students swarm the hallways.

The seniors are receiving personal attention from teachers about the upcoming curriculum.

"I came from a bigger high school," said Mackenzie Leefier.

"It was a class of about 30 students I and I just wasn't focused because I never had that one on one with my teacher."

Mackenzie and other students definitely appreciate the one on one attention at this non-traditional public high school.

"It was just moving so fast and you can't ask the teachers as many questions as you want because everyone is in the class asking questions," said Zachary Leefier about his experience in a overcrowded classroom.

Small class size is one of the reasons the students chose to attend PLC.

Typically you will only see 15 students in a class.

"It's easier for me to stay ahead and understand what's happening," said Mackenzie. "I can always ask questions and not be so conscious about asking them ."

"The one on one you have with your teacher is the best you could ever have," said Jayton Lewis a senior at the Performance Learning Center.

Through donations and foundations PLC has been able to offer small class sizes and individual student-teacher attention.

That's not the case for most public schools which have seen class overcrowding burst at the seams because of budget cuts and teacher layoffs.

"Having large class sizes makes it more difficult for the teacher," said June Atkinson the North Carolina State Superintendent of Public Instruction.

"It also makes it more difficult for the student who cannot always get the help that he or she may need."
 
The class size dilemma has led the Atkinson to tour different campuses in search of a temporary solution for this school year.

"One of the best strategies we have now is to have volunteers come to the schools," said Atkinson.

"We also have parents to volunteer and have people in business and industry to also give of their time"

Until a permanent plan is put in place to keep class sizes from swelling, Atkinson says educators should still stay committed to providing the best education.

Copyright 2012 WBTV. All rights reserved.