News 12 at 6 o'clock/September 8, 2010

AIKEN CTY, S.C.---Overcrowding in some classrooms can lead to a bad learning environment. Some Aiken County school officials have reassigned five teachers to schools that need them the most. The change took effect yesterday. Now many teachers and parents are excited about the change. They say the children are the ones who benefit the most.

It seemed like just a normal day in Ms. McGhee's classroom, but it wasn't. She now has 13 fewer students than she had last week, and she says that's good for the kids.

"It was a wonderful transition," she said. "We went from 35 to 22. So you're looking at the benefits for the child, when a teacher can reach the children. It's actually in the best interest of the kids."

Ann Marie McGhee is a fifth grade teacher at Warrenville Elementary school. She says she's already noticed a change with her students. "Significant change, just with their comfort level, feeling like they can speak up and have a turn in the classroom."

Warrenville Elementary is one of several schools in Aiken County to benefit from the reassignment of several teachers. The idea was to transfer some teachers to other schools that had some overcrowded classrooms. The goal is to have around 25 children in a 5th grade class.

Parent Jennifer Barrett likes the plan. "I don't like crowding in the schools," she said. "I have 3 girls, and I have a hard time trying to split my time between them; I could imagine 35!"

Officials say the reassignment has the following benefits: kids have a lot more space in the classroom, there's more attention for the children, and they get to enjoy their reading space again.

Aiken Elementary also benefitted from this reassignment.

While some may feel switching teachers several weeks after school begins can be disruptive, Barret says she's a happier mother knowing her kids will get more attention.

"They'll get a better learning experience," she said.

Ms. McGhee says everyone seems happier. "By us being able to work together in the district, it works out to save jobs, and in the long run, it works out for the benefit of the students."