Israel is now in one of its frenzies of breast-beating, because according to statistics, we have an outrageously large number of students per class compared to other academic countries. I get a kick out of under thirty, 27.6 being considered too many.

When I was in elementary school, P.S. 46, Bayside, NY, along with my fellow baby-boomers, my classes had an average of 39-40 kids. Yes, I do remember the numbers. We were five classes in our grade, and we did well. Not all the classes had that number, because after the first grade we were divided by ability-success. The top class averaged over forty kids per year, and I was in the "second top" class.

The students who needed more help were in smaller classes. No, I don't remember how small. By being divided in homogenous groupings, rather than the more pc heterogeneous classes, it was easier for the teacher to teach and for us to learn.

Another difference was the noise level. I never would have succeeded in today's noisy and active classrooms. It was much easier to concentrate in the "more repressed" 1950's.

We also got more sleep, and so did the teachers. It makes a big difference. Insufficient sleep causes memory, concentration/attention and impulsivity problems similar to ADD and ADHD. Two to three more hours of sleep per night would be more effective than ritalin or any other medication.

Our foods had fewer additives, and many experts say that the additives aren't good, possibly effecting children very seriously. Our world was also quieter.

To wrap it up, class size isn't everything when it comes to education.