Class size and trauma- Seeking resources

Hi Holly, I have not come across anything specific to ACEs or Trauma in terms of class size. You could look at studies on class size reduction and make connections between the benefits observed and what we know about setting the right conditions for learning to support students that have been exposed to trauma. For example if class size reduction is shown to benefit engagement and relationships, these 2 strategies have also been shown to be factors that have a positive impact on all students- especially those that have experienced trauma. Just my 2 cents. 

Kudos to you Holly, just sent your insightful question to our Broward FL Union and Child Trends. Under IDEA I think when a district has suffered a calamitous disaster of any type that the school district should know to take immediate preemptive actions such as reducing class sizes, increasing psychological counselors, and being sure children with inhalers have them at home and at school, including EPI pens at all schools and nurses or assigned persons to administer these simple life saving actions.

I know of at least one MSD Parkland FL student of limited means that died of an asthma stress/panic attack and did not have an expensive inhaler available - which sugar coats it - let us speak it aloud; she suffocated to death - shortly after the murders of her classmates at MSD. Whereas funds and support are being made available to financially help the direct murder and survivor victim families with future medical costs to help them deal with their lifelong trauma and the acknowledged lifelong consequences - no such support was offerred to this young girls family - the Broward district knew of her death, I spoke to them personally - but shamefully did not wish additional press attention or scrutiny so no efforts were made to help Educate the young girls family of what they face in the future Nor to alert the loving and activist Parkland Community that another victim and victims family was in their midst, essentially alone.

I accepted the districts excuses and their assurances they were dealing with the issue responsibly - which resposibility for is on my head for being so foolish and trusting. A school district is the heart of a community and community is a house made of individual stones, logs, and bricks - community is not about consortiums of boards and organizations, community is about righteous acts of solitary INDIVIDUALS - activist individuals just like YOU Holly!

Of the 80 or so persons at the funeral, no district administrators of note were to be seen. This is not uncommon, sadly. It is organizational neglect and abuse as written so eloquently of by Dr. Sandy Bloom in her groundbreaking 3 books on the subject.

I would suggest checking posts titled "Latest ACEs science research from PubMed, date" that are posted approximately each week to the home page. Some of these may contain studies on class size and ACEs. Hope this helps!