From the ECS State Policy Database Class Size

This database is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Most entries are legislative, although rules/regulations and executive orders that make substantive changes are included. Every effort is made to collect the latest available version of policies; in some instances, recent changes might not be reflected. For expediency purposes minimal attention has been paid to style (capitalization, punctuation) and format. Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date]. State Status/Date Level Summary LA Signed into law 06/2012 P-12 Repeals existing provisions requring the state board to adopt rules related to the issuance of waivers from pupil-teacher ratios over 20 students in grades K-3. Enacts new provisions, effective with the 2012-13 school year, directing the state board to adopt rules providing for such waivers. Requires new rules to include provisions allowing a local board to request a limited waiver from the state superintendent for a teacher who has demonstrated effectiveness. Directs the department of education to annually submit a report to house and senate education committees detailing all waiver requests by local boards for the prior school year and the disposition of each request. http://legis.la.gov/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=811608 Title: S.B. 461 Source: legis.la.gov TN Signed into law 05/2012 P-12 Requires virtual schools to maintain teacher-pupil ratios set by the state board of education and to provide the same length of time for learning opportunities as required for other schools, but allow a student to move at the student's own pace. Provides students shall demonstrate mastery, competency, and completion of a course or subject area to be given course credit. Allows technology access to be provided through computer labs. Makes an online course a requirement for graduation from high school beginning with the students entering ninth grade in the 2013-2014 school year. http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB3062.pdf Title: H.B. 3062 Source: http://www.capitol.tn.gov FL Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 From bill analysis: Delays the increased class size penalty (from 50% to the full amount of the base student allocation) until 2014-2015, including a retroactive adjustment of the 2011-2012 penalty calculation. Bill text (pages 17-18 of 41): http://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h5101er.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=5101&Session=2012 Final bill analysis (pages 5-7 of 13): http://myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=h5101z.PKAS.DOCX&DocumentType=Analysis&BillNumber=5101&Session=2012 Title: H.B. 5101 - Delay of Class Size Penalty Source: myfloridahouse.gov NY Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Part A, Section 12: Extends through 2012-13 school year provision authorizing the board of education of a city school district with a population of 125,000 or more or New York City to increase class sizes in special classes containing students with disabilities in secondary grades by up to specified amounts. Chapter 57: http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?default_fld=&bn=A09057&term=&Summary=Y&Memo=Y&Text=Y#jump_to_Text Title: A.B. 9057 - Class Sizes for Students with Disabilities in Middle and High Schools Source: assembly.state.ny.us WY Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Directs school districts to maintain an average class size of 16 for K-3 classrooms. Requires districts to report to the state superintendent when any school changes the configuration of grades from the preceding year. Empowers the state superintendent to approve or deny reconfiguration for purposes of application to the education resource block model. http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2012/Enroll/SF0090.pdf Title: S.F. 90 Source: http://legisweb.state.wy.us NC Veto overridden: legislature has overridden governor's veto 06/2011 P-12 Declares findings of the general assembly regarding benefits of small class sizes in grades 1-3, and disadvantages of larger class sizes. Establishes legislative intent to reduce class size in grades 1 through 3 to a class size allotment not exceeding 1:15 as funds become available. Page 41 of 342: http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2011/Bills/House/PDF/H200v9.pdf Title: H.B. 200 - Class Size Reduction for Grades 1-3 Source: www.ncleg.net FL Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 Sec. 8 - Adjusts the charter school enrollment process such that students living in a development that provides the facility and related property with an appraised value of at least $10 million for a charter school in the development shall be entitled to 50 percent of the enrollment in the charter school. Provides that charter school systems may be designated as local education agencies for the purpose of receiving federal funds. Sec. 11 & 12 - Increases the number of students that may be assigned to an instructor in the school year Pre-kindergarten program from 11 to 12, and from 18 to 20 for an instructor plus an assistant. Sec. 14 - Redefines the term "core curricula courses" for the purpose of designating classes subject to the maximum class size requirements and requires the state Department of Education to maintain a list of such courses. Sec. 15 - Provides flexibility for school districts to implement class size requirements when additional students enroll in a school after the October survey and for students in grades 4 to 8 who take high school courses. http://laws.flrules.org/files/Ch_2011-055.pdf Title: S.B. 2120 - Sec. 8, 11, 12, 14, 15 Source: http://laws.flrules.org GA Signed into law 05/2011 P-12 Extends for 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years certain temporary provisions that permit the average class size for certain programs to be equivalent to the maximum individual class size for each program. Page 7-8 of 11: http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20112012/116810.pdf Title: H.B. 192 - Class Size Source: www.legis.ga.gov CA Signed into law 03/2011 P-12 From bill summary: Existing law appropriates funding for class size reduction grades K-3, to be expended consistent with specified requirements. New legislation: --Reduces that appropriation in accordance with specified requirements, and identifies funds that the state department of education is required to use if the funds appropriated for this program are determined to be insufficient. --Requires the superintendent of public instruction to certify to the controller the amounts needed for the 2011–12 fiscal year to fund the class size reduction program and set forth a schedule for the transfer of that funding. Requires the controller to transfer that funding from the general fund to the state school fund, thereby making an appropriation. --Requires the superintendent, before making each certification, to notify the department of finance, the legislative analyst, and the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature regarding the amounts he/she intends to certify. Requires the notification to include the data used in determining the amounts to be certified. Pages 78-79 of 81: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/sen/sb_0051-0100/sb_70_bill_20110324_chaptered.pdf Title: S.B. 70 - Sec. 58 Source: www.leginfo.ca.gov FL Rejected by voters 11/2010 P-12 Proposed amendment to the constitution to revise class size requirements for public schools as follows: (1) For grades Pre-kindergarten through 3, the maximum number of students assigned to each teacher in an individual classroom must not exceed 21; (2) For grades 4 through 8, the maximum number of students assigned to each teacher in an individual classroom must not exceed 27; and (3) For grades 9 through 12, the maximum number of students assigned to each teacher in an individual classroom must not exceed 30. http://www.flsenate.gov/data/session/2010/Senate/bills/billtext/pdf/s0002.pdf Title: Constitutional Amendment 8; SJR 2 Source: http://www.flsenate.gov FL Signed into law 06/2010 P-12 Section 11 - Requires each local school board, before adoption of the district school budget for 2010-2011, to hold public hearings and provide information to parents on the district's website, and through any other means by which the district provides information to parents and the public, on the district's strategies to meet maximum class size requirements; While the bill provides penalties for lack of compliance with Florida's class size requirements, a district may get relief from the penalties by submitting a school board-certified plan by February 15 that indicates the planned actions necessary to achieve full compliance with class size requirements for the following year.  Section 12 - Effective upon approval by the electors of Senate Joint Resolution 2 in the 2010 General Election and retroactive to the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year the average number of students at the school level may not exceed the following limits: - Pre-K through 3rd Grade - 18 students - 4th Grade through 8th Grade - 22 students - 9th Grade through 12th Grade - 25 students The bill also provides flexibility to allow some class sizes to increase, as long as the school-wide average remains in compliance with the current restrictions. http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?FileName=_h5101er.docx&DocumentType=Bill&BillNumber=5101&Session=2010 Title: H.B. 5101 Source: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov GA Signed into law 05/2010 P-12 From bill summary: Temporarily waives certain expenditure controls relating to funds earned for direct instructional costs, media center costs, staff and professional development costs, and additional days of instruction. Temporarily provides for system average maximum class sizes in grades K-8. Provides for blanket waivers or variances of class size requirements. http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2009_10/pdf/hb908.pdf Title: H.B. 908 Source: www.legis.state.ga.us WI Signed into law 05/2010 P-12 Previous law allowed an eligible school board that has entered into a five-year renewable student achievement guarantee (SAGE) contract with the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to reduce class size to 15 pupils in grades Kindergarten to three in schools with specified low-income enrollment to receive $2,250 for each low-income pupil enrolled in grades eligible for SAGE funding. DPI has not been authorized to enter into new SAGE contracts after June 30, 2001, but DPI has entered into five-year renewal contracts if certain conditions are met. DPI has been permitted to waive requirements of the SAGE program under these contracts. This bill permits the school board of an eligible school district to enter into a five-year SAGE contract with DPI in the 2010-11 school year on behalf of one or more schools if all of the following apply: - In the previous school year, each school had an enrollment that was at least 30% low income. - The school board is not receiving a grant under the Preschool to Grade 5 Program on behalf of any of the schools. - None of the schools is a beneficiary of a SAGE contract. Under the Act, for contracts that begin in the 2010 school year, the contract must require the school board to reduce class size to 18 in each participating school in the following manner:In the 2010-11 school year, in at least grades Kindergarten and one; in the 2011-12 school year, in at least grades Kindergarten to two; in the 2012-13 to 2014-15 school years, in at least grades Kindergarten to three. DPI must pay to each school district that has entered into a SAGE contract $2,250 multiplied by the number of low-income pupils enrolled in grades eligible for funding in each school in the school district that is covered by a contract entered into in the 2010-11 school year and by renewals of SAGE contracts. http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2009/data/AB-808.pdf Title: A.B. 808 Source: http://www.legis.state.wi.us FL Signed into law 05/2010 P-12 Proposes a constitutional amendment to go before voters in November 2010; revises the maximum class size requirements; beginning with the 2010-2011 school year, the maximum number of students who may be assigned to a teacher (while not exceeding the school level average) as follows: (1) 21 students in grades preK-3; (2) 27 students in grades 4-8; and (3) 30 students in grades 9-12. The class size requirements do not apply to virtual classes. http://www.flsenate.gov/cgi-bin/view_page.pl?Tab=session&Submenu=1&FT=D&File=sb0002er.html&Directory=session/2010/Senate/bills/billtext/html/ Title: SJR 2 Source: http://www.flsenate.gov UT Signed into law 03/2010 P-12 Modifies the state superintendent's annual report of the public school system by: (1) requiring reporting of data on average class sizes calculated in accordance with state board of education rule; (2) modifying the reporting of pupil-teacher ratios and (3) deleting the reporting of pupil-adult ratios. Rewrites statutory language on method for calculating school and district pupil-teacher ratios in the state superintendent's annual report. Requires data on pupil-teacher ratios to additionally be reported by district, and by state-level aggregate for charter schools and public schools. Requires the section of the state superintendent's annual report dealing with pupil-teacher ratios to indicate the Web site where pupil-teacher ratios for each school in the state may be accessed. Requires data on charter school funding, including state allocations and local expenditures, to be included in the state superintendent's annual report. Specifies how average class size at the elementary and secondary school levels must be reported. Requires that special education classes and online classes be excluded when determining average class sizes at the elementary and secondary school levels. http://le.utah.gov/~2010/bills/sbillenr/sb0056.pdf Title: S.B. 56 Source: le.utah.gov NV Signed into law 02/2010 P-12 Revises provisions governing class-size reduction to allow school districts flexibility in addressing budget shortfalls; allows a school district to elect to increase class size by not more than a specified number of pupils to achieve specified ratios in specified grades; establishes requirements for the use of moneys that would have otherwise been expended by the school district electing to increase class sizes in such a manner. http://www.leg.state.nv.us/26th2010Special/Bills/AB/AB4_EN.pdf Title: A.B. 4B Source: http://www.leg.state.nv.us OH Signed into law 07/2009 P-12 Authorizes the state superintendent, in the 2009 or 2010 academic year (or both) to waive the teacher/pupil ratio for grades K-4 as required by paragraph A(3) of rule 3301-35-05 of the administrative code if the following conditions apply: (1) The local board of education requests the waiver (2) After the department of education conducts an on-site evaluation of the district related to meeting the required ratio, the local board demonstrates to the state superintendent's satisfaction that providing the facilities necessary to meet the ratio would impose an extreme hardship on the district (3) The local board provides assurances to the satisfaction of the state superintendent that the board will act in good faith to meet the required ratio as soon as possible. Page 2828 of 3120: http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/BillText128/128_HB_1_EN_N.pdf Title: H.B. 1 - Section 265.50.20 Source: www.legislature.state.oh.us NY Signed into law 04/2009 P-12 Provides that a district that submitted a contract for excellence for the 2008-09 school year must submit a contract for excellence for the 2009-10 school year unless all schools in the district are identified as in good standing. Provides that a district that submitted a contract for excellence for 2007-08 and 2008-09 and that is required to submit a contract for excellence in 2009-10 but did not fully expend all of its 2007-08 foundation aid during the 2007-08 school year may reallocate and expend such unexpended funds in the 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years for allowable contract for excellence programs and activities. Requires New York City school district to prepare a report to the commissioner by November 17, 2009 on the status of implemenetation of its plan to reduce average class sizes as required in the contract for excellence legislation. Specifies the information the report must provide about all schools that received class size reduction funds. http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A00157&sh=t Title: A.B. 157 - Part A, Sections 1-5 Source: assembly.state.ny.us CA Signed into law 09/2008 P-12 Extends the sunset date for the mitigation provisions in the Class Size Reduction Program, in which participating school districts are provided funding for each class in which the class size is reduced to a ration of 20 or fewer pupils per certified teacher in kindergarten and any of grades 1 to 3, inclusive. Extends the implementation of provisions that require the Controller to reduce funding for participating districts for failing to reduce a class size from the next apportionment or apportionments. Chapter 515 http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bill/sen/sb_1101-1150/sb_1112_bill_20080928_chaptered.pdf Title: S.B. 1112 Source: http://www.assembly.ca.gov DE Signed into law 06/2008 P-12 Codifies the recommendation of the Class Size and Unit Allocation Task Force that the Department of Education annually collect and report data regarding compliance with the student-instructor ratio by local school districts and charter schools. http://legis.delaware.gov/LIS/lis144.nsf/vwLegislation/HB+393/$file/legis.html?open Title: H.B. 393 Source: http://legis.delaware.gov/ NY Adopted 06/2008 P-12 Establishes allowable programs and activities, criteria for public reporting by school districts of their total foundation aid expenditures, and other requirements for purposes of preparation of contracts for excellence by certain specified school districts. Pages 6-11 of 27: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/info/register/2008/mar5/pdfs/rules.pdf Title: Title 8 NYCRR Sections 100.13 and 170.12 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet NY Adopted 01/2008 P-12 The board of regents has readopted, by emergency action effective January 22, 2008, the emergency rule adopted at the September 10, 2007 Regents meeting, and readopted at the October 23, 2007 Regents meeting, that added a new section 100.13 and amended section 170.12 of the Commissioner's Regulations. The rule is necessary to implement the Education Law section 211-d to establish allowable programs and activities, criteria for public reporting by school districts of their total foundation aid expenditures, and other requirements for purposes of preparation of contracts for excellence by certain specified school districts. Pages 9- of 33: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/info/register/2008/feb6/pdfs/rules.pdf Title: Title 8 NYCRR Sections 100.13 and 170.12 Source: www.dos.state.ny.us NY Emergency Rule Extension 11/2007 P-12 Readopts, by emergency action effective November 25, 2007, the emergency rule adopted at the September 10, 2007 Regents meeting that added a new section 100.13 and amended 170.12 of the Commissioner's Regulations. http://www.dos.state.ny.us/info/register/2007/dec12/pdfs/rules.pdf Title: Title 8 NYCRR Sections 100.13 and 170.12 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet GA Adopted 08/2007 P-12 Establishes class size maximums for core courses in grades 9-12. http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/doe/legalservices/160-5-1-.08.pdf Title: GAC 160-5-1-.08, -.10 Source: www.doe.k12.ga.us NY Adopted 07/2007 P-12 Establishes allowable programs and activities, criteria for public reporting by school districts of their total foundation aid expenditures, and other requirements for purposes of preparation of contracts for excellence by certain specified school districts. Pages 16-19 of 48: http://www.dos.state.ny.us/info/register/2007/aug15/pdfs/rules.pdf Title: Title 8 NYCRR Sections 100.13 and 170.12 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet NC Signed into law 07/2007 P-12 The purpose of the ROPE Scholars Pilot Program is to strengthen middle grades education in order to provide students with the opportunity to graduate from high school with the core academic skills needed for postsecondary education and high-skilled employment, and thereby to reduce the high school dropout rate, increase high school and college graduation rates and decrease the need for remediation in institutions of higher education. It is the intent of the ROPE Scholars Program to: -Reduce class size to one teacher to every 17 students -Provide annual salary increments of up to $5,000 per year to teachers certified in the fields of mathematics, science, or special education -Provide a coordinator position at each participating school to assist in community and parental support -Encourage students participating in the program, through agreements executed between the local school administrative unit and students and their parents or guardians, to: (1) Maintain a 95% attendance rate each year; (2) Achieve a minimum of a "B" average; (3) Take the PSAT and the SAT or the ACT and achieve an adequate score, as determined by the state board; (4) Meet the standards for admission established by the board of governors of the University of North Carolina (5) Engage in community service work each month during the school year for the number of hours determined by the state board; and (6) Evidence good character by not engaging in unlawful conduct. -Provide students who successfully participate in the program with college scholarships. Directs the state board to develop a competitive process through which units may apply to participate in the pilot program. The number of participating units will be limited to three units in the 2008-09 fiscal year. The units will be selected from different geographical areas of the state and shall include at least one urban and one rural unit. The state board will develop a process to evaluate the effectiveness of the program, and is required to prepare a report for the legislative oversight committee that includes the cost of implementing the pilot program and indicates state laws, rules and policies that would preclude the implementation of the pilot. http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2007/Bills/Senate/HTML/S1030v0.html Title: S.B. 1030 Source: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/ WV Adopted 07/2007 P-12 The most recent updates to Policy 2525: West Virginia's Universal Access to a Quality Early Education System support quality in the classroom and consistency among the programs across the state. They also strengthen personnel standards and continue to support collaboration. The major changes include increasing the minimum participation from two days a week to three days a week during the school year and limiting teacher caseloads to 30 students. The policy also requires five-year-olds to be assessed to determine if Pre-k placement is the best option for them when a parent requests Pre-k enrollment instead of kindergarten. It also authorizes the development of the permanent authorization credential for community partners with teachers who are not certified and requires all screenings to be completed using the HealthCheck protocol to create standardization of screenings and physicals. Title: Policy 2525 Source: West Virginia Board GA Signed into law 05/2007 P-12 Requires twins or other multiples to be placed in the same classroom if the parent requests. Also allows districts to establish maximum class sizes in grades 9-12 for mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts. Provides such maximum class sizes may not exceed the funding class size by more than 39%. Directs local boards to report annually to the state board and to each school council in its school system such class sizes established. http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2007_08/pdf/sb123.pdf Title: S.B. 123 Source: www.legis.state.ga.us UT Signed into law 03/2007 P-12 Specifies how average class size shall be calculated for the purpose of reporting class size by grade and subject on annual school performance reports; specifies that a pupil-teacher ratio shall be calculated by dividing the total number of students in a grade at a school by the total number of licensed classroom teachers in that grade at the school; and an adult-student ratio shall be calculated by dividing the total number of students in a grade at a school by the total number of adults who work with students in an instructional setting in that grade at the school. For reporting purposes, average class size by grade and subject is to be calculated in accordance with the following: (A) for kindergarten through grade six, average class size by grade shall be calculated by dividing grade membership on October 1 by the number of classes in the corresponding grade; and (B) for grades seven through twelve, average class size shall be calculated for core language arts, mathematics, and science courses by dividing membership on October 1 in core language arts, mathematics, or science course classes by the number of classes for the corresponding course. http://le.utah.gov/~2007/bills/hbillenr/hb0215.htm Title: H.B. 215 Source: http://www.le.state.ut.us/ IL Adopted 09/2006 P-12 Establishes rules regarding the K-3 class size reduction grant program, and a class size reduction pilot project. Specifies that eligible districts are only those in which one or more schools serving students in grades K-3 are in Academic Early Warning or Academic Watch status. Pages 265-272 of 405: http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/index/register/register_volume30_issue41.pdf Title: 23 IAC 565.10, .20, .30, .40, .50, .60, .110, .120, .130, .140, .150,.160 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet GA Adopted 07/2006 P-12 Clarifies rules regarding the following: Remedial education for students in grades 6-12: http://rules.sos.state.ga.us/docs/160/4/5/01.pdf Charter schools: http://rules.sos.state.ga.us/docs/160/4/9/04.pdf Class size: http://rules.sos.state.ga.us/docs/160/5/1/08.pdf Student attendance: http://rules.sos.state.ga.us/docs/160/5/1/10.pdf Title: GAC 160-4-5-.01; -4-9-.04; -5-1-.08, -.10 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet IL Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Creates a pilot class size reduction grant program, in addition to the existing class size reduction grant program, to be implemented and administered by the state board. Provides that grants will be awarded to schools to defray the costs and expenses of operating and maintaining classes of no more than 15 pupils per teacher per class. Provides that the pilot class size reduction grant program applies only to grades K-3. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/94/SB/PDF/09400SB2882lv.pdf Title: S.B. 2882 Source: www.ilga.gov IA Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Extends repeal date of Iowa Early Intervention and School Improvement Technology Block Grant Programs to July 2007. (Includes funds for K-3 class size reduction and student achievement in basic skills, especially reading skills.) http://coolice.legis.state.ia.us/Cool-ICE/default.asp?Category=billinfo&Service=Billbook&menu=false&hbill=SF2272 Title: S.B. 2272 - Section 6 Source: coolice.legis.state.ia.us TN Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Relates to maximum classroom sizes; In the event of a natural disaster which results in the enrollment of displaced students, the commissioner of education may grant a waiver from the maximum class sizes established in this section. http://www.legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2898.pdf Title: S.B. 2898 Source: Tennessee Legislature WI Vetoed 04/2006 P-12 Under current law, a school district may enter into a five-year, renewable student achievement guarantee (SAGE) contract with the Department of Public Instruction to reduce class size to 15 pupils in grades kindergarten to three in exchange for receiving state aid equal to $2,000 for each low-income pupil enrolled in grades eligible for SAGE funding. This bill allows a school district to choose not to comply with the requirement to reduce class size in grades two or three and to forego the aid that it would have received. The amount of foregone aid is lapsed to the general fund and appropriated to supplement the payment of special education aid. http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/SB-68.pdf Title: S.B. 68 Source: www.legis.state.wi.us GA Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Changes certain provisions relating to maximum class size requirements. For the 2006-2007 school year, increases maximum class sizes in grades K-3, establishes maximum class sizes in grades 4-12 for mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts classes. Sets maximum class size for remedial education, vocational laboratory, alternative education, and early intervention programs at 20. http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2005_06/pdf/hb1358.pdf Title: H.B. 1358 Source: www.legis.state.ga.us LA Signed into law 11/2005 P-12 Exempts LA 4 (prekindergarten) classes from class size ratio for the 2005-2006 school year if the district or charter school enrolled any students during the 2005-2006 school year who were displaced that year due to school closures as a result of natural catastrophe or disaster or the district or charter school cannot meet the class size ratio requirements due to the enrollment of students displaced by natural catastrophe or disaster. http://www.legis.state.la.us/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=329555 Title: H.B. 19A Source: www.legis.state.la.us GA Adopted 10/2005 P-12 Changes the maximum individual class size for science grades 9-12 for school years 2007-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 from 28 to 30. Amends the funding class size and maximum individual class size for students with disabilities., AGENCY CONTACT: Patricia L. Mills, Department of Education, 2052 Twin Towers East, Atlanta, GA 30334, 404- 656-4689, fax 404-657-8376 http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/doe/legalservices/160-5-1-.08.pdf Title: GAC 160-5-1-.08 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet IL Signed into law 08/2005 P-12 Under the K-3 class size reduction grant program, provides that if a school board determines that a school is using funds awarded under the program for purposes not authorized by the program, then the school board, rather than the school, shall determine how the funds are used. http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=094-0566 Title: H.B. 2589 Source: http://www.ilga.gov NV Signed into law 06/2005 P-12 Authorizes certain school districts to develop plans for alternative pupil-teacher ratios. In lieu of complying with the pupil-teacher ratio, a school district in a county whose population is less than 100,000 may, in consultation with the recognized associations representing licensed educational personnel, develop a plan to reduce the district's pupil-teacher ratios per class for specified grade levels in elementary schools. Alternative ratios for grade 6 may only be approved for those school districts that include grade 6 in elementary school. The alternative pupil-teacher ratios must not: (a) Exceed 22 to 1 in grades 1, 2 and 3; and (b) Exceed 25 to 1 in grades 4 and 5 or grades 4, 5 and 6, as applicable. 3. The State Board shall approve a plan submitted pursuant to subsection 2 if the plan: (a) Reduces the district's pupil-teacher ratio in the elementary schools within the school district; and (b) Is fiscally neutral. http://leg.state.nv.us/73rd/bills/SB/SB460_EN.pdf Title: S.B. 460 Source: StateNet FL Vetoed 06/2005 P-12 States that, beginning in the 2005-2006 school year, if the actual student membership in the October survey exceeds the student membership estimate included in the Florida Education Finance Program first calculation, the maximum student membership enrollment used in determining the October class size averages shall be the student membership estimate included in the Florida Education Finance Program first calculation. States that, beginning in the 2005-2006 school year, a district that fully achieves the required class size averages when compared to the February 2003 baseline student membership survey is eligible for a reversal of the prior year class size reduction operating categorical transfer that resulted from its inability to achieve the required class size averages as required. http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/bills_detail.aspx?Id=16687&iSessionSelectedIndex=1&sBillSubjectText=&sBillNumberText=1678&iSponsorSelectedIndex=0&iBillListSelectedIndex=0&sStatueAmendedText=&iBillTypeSelectedIndex=0&iReferredToSelectedIndex=0&iChamberSelectedIndex=1&iBillSearchListPageIndex=0 Title: S.B. 1678 Source: www.myfloridahouse.gov NV (H) APPROVED BY THE GOVERNOR. CHAPTER 433. 06/2005 P-12 Makes appropriations to the State Distributive School Account for purposes relating to class-size reduction. The state appropriates from the State General Fund to the State Distributive School Account the sum of $125,552,187 for distribution by the Superintendent of Public Instruction to the county school districts for Fiscal Year 2005-2006 which must, except as otherwise provided in sections 3 and 4 of this act, be used to employ teachers to comply with the required ratio of pupils to teachers, as set forth in NRS 388.700, in grades 1 and 2 and in selected kindergartens with pupils who are considered at risk of failure by the Superintendent of Public Instruction and to maintain the current ratio of pupils per teacher in grade 3. Expenditures for the class-size reduction program must be accounted for in a separate category of expenditure in the State Distributive School Account. http://leg.state.nv.us/73rd/bills/AB/AB575_EN.pdf Title: H.B. 575 Source: StateNet NV Signed into law 06/2005 P-12 Each school district that does not meet the ratio of pupils per class (15:1 in grades k-3) must request a variance from the State Board by providing a written statement that includes the reasons for the request and the justification for exceeding the applicable prescribed ratio of pupils per class. http://leg.state.nv.us/73rd/bills/AB/AB526_EN.pdf Title: H.B. 526 Source: StateNet WI Emergency Rule Adoption 02/2005 P-12 Amends class size reduction funding under the Student Achievement Guaranteed in Education Program (SAGE). WISCONSIN REG 20485 (SN) http://www.dpi.state.wi.us/dpi/dfm/pb/sageemerg.html Title: PI 24 Source: http://www.dpi.state.wi.us IN Signed into law 01/2005 P-12 Revises the funding formula for the K-3 class size reduction program. Effective retroactive to January 1, 2005. Makes other adjustments. http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2005/HE/HE1001.1.html Title: H.B. 1001 (Section 181 and 233) Source: www.in.gov CA Signed into law 09/2004 P-12 Requires the Controller to deduct from the next principal apportionment of a school district a specified amount based on the annual pupil enrollment of the class above a different prescribed number. Authorizes a district located in the counties of Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego or Ventura to claim class size reduction funding for 2003-04 based on enrollment counts before the October 2003 fires, if the district lost or exceeded enrollment due to the fires. This bill declares that it is to take effect immediately as an urgency statute. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_0301-0350/sb_311_bill_20040930_chaptered.pdf Signing message: http://www.governor.ca.gov/govsite/pdf/press_release/SB_311_sign.pdf Title: S.B. 311 Source: California Legislative Web site GA Adopted 08/2004 P-12 Clarifies rules regarding class size, absences and excuses. Renames chapter on absences as Student Attendance. Provides definition of truant and outlines policies and procedures to reduce unexcused absences. Permits a maximum individual class size of 30 for grades 9-12 science classes for school year 2004-05. GEORGIA REG 4246 (SN). http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/doe/legalservices/160-5-1-.08.pdf and http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/doe/legalservices/160-5-1-.10.pdf Title: GAC 160-5-1-.08; -.10 Source: Georgia State Web site IL Signed into law 07/2004 P-12 Creates a K-3 class size reduction grant program. Provides that only schools that are on the early academic warning list or academic watch list and that maintain grades K-3 are grant eligible. Limits use of the grant funds to operating and maintaining classes in grades K-3 with a class size within a specific grade of no more than 20 pupils. Proves that a school may use grant funds for teacher aides if the facilities are inadequate. http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?Name=093-0814 Title: S.B. 2135 Source: Illinois Legislative Web site HI Signed into law 07/2004 P-12 The education reform in this Act shall be known as the "Reinventing Education Act of 2004." The provisions include (1) establishing a weighted student formula; (2) providing additional information technology; (3) empowering principals through a Hawaii principals academy and other means; (4) strengthening community involvement through school community councils and parent-community networking centers; (5) providing more mathematics textbooks; (6) lowering class size in kindergarten, grade one, and grade two; (7) providing full-time, year-round, high school student activity coordinators; (8) providing support for students who need additional help to succeed in school; (9) establishing a national board certification incentive program for teachers; (10) enhancing teacher education; (11) reducing the bureaucracy that hampers the effectiveness of the department of education; (12) improving the educational accountability system; and (13) requiring board of education members to hold community meetings in their districts. Establishes the after-school plus program revolving fund.Creates a working group to create a plan for principal performance contracts. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/getstatus.asp?qu=HB2002&showstatus=on&showtext=on&press1=docs Title: H.B. 2002 Source: Hawaii Legislative Web site GA Adopted 07/2004 P-12 Class size is amended to comply with changes in law that were adopted by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2004 session regarding the number of students allowed in grades 4-12 for the 2004-2005 school year, the number of students allowed in kindergarten classes with a paraprofessional, and the system averaging for class size. http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/doe/legalservices/160-5-1-.08.pdf Title: GAC 160-5-1-.08 Source: Georgia State Web site HI Veto override 05/2004 P-12 Establishes a weighted student formula; provides additional information technology; empowers principals through a Hawaii principals academy and other means; strengthens community involvement through school community councils and parent-community networking centers; provides more mathematics textbooks; lowers class size in kindergarten, grade one, and grade two; provides full-time, year-round student activity coordinators; provides support for students who need additional help to succeed in school; establishes a national board certification incentive program for teachers; enhances teacher education; reduces the bureaucracy that hampers the effectiveness of the department of education; improves the educational accountability system; requires the board of education members to hold community meetings in their districts. http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessioncurrent/bills/sb3238_sd2_.htm Title: S.B. 3238 Source: Hawaii Legislative Web site VA Signed into law 04/2004 P-12 Amends section 22.1-253.13:1 and 22.1-253.13:2 . Specifies that the Standards of Learning form the core of Virginia's educational program and other educational objectives. Specifies that the state board must, at a minimum, define Standards of Learning for English, mathematics, science, history and social science. Specifies that "communication" as included in the Standards of Learning comprises listening, speaking, reading and writing. To passage on public input on proposed revisions to the Standards of Learning, adds that the department must provide and maintain Web capacity to allowing K-12 educators to submit recommendations for improvements to the Standards of Learning, when under review by the state board, as well as to the related assessments. Deletes "career education schools" from language requiring local boards to implement career and technical education programs. Provisions (i) increase from one half-time to one full-time principal in elementary schools with fewer than 300 students; (ii) provide one full-time assistant principal for each 400 students in each school, regardless of grade level; (iv) lower the pupil-teacher ratio from 25:1 to 21:1 in middle and high schools, to ensure the provision of scheduled teacher planning time; (v) reduce the required speech pathologist caseload from 68 to 60 students; (vi) require two technology support positions per 1,000 students in kindergarten through grade 12 divisionwide; and (viii) modify the current funding mechanism for remediation. Requires the state board to submit to the governor and the general assembly a report on the condition and needs of public education in the commonwealth and shall identify any school divisions and the specific schools therein that have failed to establish and maintain schools meeting the existing prescribed standards of quality. http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?041+ful+CHAP0955 Title: H.B. 1014 Source: leg1.state.va.us GA Adopted 11/2003 P-12 Clarifies rules regarding special appropriation for public school capital outlay. Adds the additional funds authorized by the General Assembly to assist local boards of education in funding the construction of instructional units needed to implement the required reduction in teacher-pupil ratios. http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/doe/legalservices/160-5-4-.04.pdf Title: GAC 160-5-4-.04 Source: Delaware State Department of Education Web site IL Amendatory veto by Governor - Bill dead 11/2003 P-12 Amends the School Code. Creates a K-3 class size reduction grant program to be implemented and administered by the state board of education. Limits use of grant funds to operating and maintaining classes in grades K-3 with a class size of no more than 20 pupils. http://www.legis.state.il.us/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=902&GAID=3&DocTypeID=SB&LegID=3791&SessionID=3 Title: S.B. 902 Source: Illinois Legislative Web site CA Vetoed 10/2003 P-12 Requires, through the 2005-06 school year, any school district establishing a class size reduction program to select the grade level or levels at a schoolsite to be reduced and to give priority to reducing class size in the selected grade level or levels before reducing class size in other grade levels at the schoolsite. Authorizes a district to use funds in a deferred maintenance account in certain fiscal years to supplement funds supporting the reduction. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_0551-0600/sb_556_bill_20030911_enrolled.html Title: S.B. 556 Source: California Legislative Web site GA Adopted 07/2003 P-12 Clarifies rules regarding class size. Specifies definitions and requirements. http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/_documents/doe/legalservices/160-5-1-.08.pdf Title: GAC 160-5-1-.08 Source: Georgia State Web site FL Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Establishes maximum class sizes; creates the Classrooms for Kids Program; establishes the District Effort Recognition Program; establishes the Class Size Reduction Lottery Revenue Bond Program; authorizes bonds; makes provisions regarding parental notification; allows tax credits to be carried forward; requires school district to notify parents of acceleration mechanisms; provides that ROTC classes fulfill physical education requirements. http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/index.cfm?Mode=Bills&SubMenu=1&BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&BillNum=0030&Year=2003A&Chamber=Senate#BillText Title: S.B. 30 Source: Florida Legislative Web site GA Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Revises provisions relating to payment of fees for advanced placement tests; revises provision relating to the release of certain test questions; deletes provision that students with alternate assessments shall not count for accountability purposes; changes provisions regarding expenditure controls for the 2003-2004 school year; changes provisions regarding maximum class size for the 2003-2004 school year and provides for automatic repeal; changes provisions regarding funding for additional days of instruction; provides that when certain sales taxes for educational purposes are imposed, each board of education expending proceeds of the tax undergo a performance audit or performance review of the expenditures and provides for performance audit or review contracts. http://www.legis.state.ga.us/legis/2003_04/sum/sb249.htm Title: S.B. 249 Source: Georgia Legislative Web site IA Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Changes repeal date from 2003 to 2004 on chapter establishing statewide early intervention block grant program. Components of this program include K-3 class size reduction and K-3 diagnostic reading assessments. Chapter requires districts to annually report to the department their current class sizes for grades K-3. Chapter also requires districts to annually report to public the percentage of fourth-graders who are proficient in reading, and encourages districts to report to public on K-3 student reading proficiency. http://www.legis.state.ia.us/cgi-bin/Legislation/File_only.pl?FILE=/usr/ns-home/docs/GA/80GA/Legislation/HF/00500/HF00549/030508.html Title: H.B. 549 (omnibus bill) Source: www.legis.state.ia.us FL Approved by voters 11/2002 P-12 Proposes an amendment to the State Constitution (Article IX, Section I) to require that the Legislature provide funding for sufficient classrooms so that there be a maximum number of students in public school classes for various grade levels; requires compliance by the beginning of the 2010 school year; requires the Legislature, and not local school districts, to pay for the costs associated with reduced class size; prescribes a schedule for phased-in funding to achieve the required maximum class size. Analysis: (brochure) http://www.cepri.state.fl.us/pdf/Class%20Size%20Brochure.pdf (report) http://www.cepri.state.fl.us/pdf/Class%20Size%20Summary.pdf http://election.dos.state.fl.us/initiatives/initdetail.asp?account=34393&seqnum=1 Florida Board of Education opposes Amendment 9. (http://www.flboe.org/SpecialFeatures/proposed_amend_02/) (http://www.flboe.org/SpecialFeatures/proposed_amend_02/Amendments_Talking_Points31.pdf) Title: Constitutional Amendment 9 Source: Florida Elections Division: CEPRI CA Vetoed 09/2001 P-12 Authorizes, on a pilot program basis, the Torrance and Poway Unified School Districts to implement an alternative class size reduction program to reduce class size in kindergarten and grades 1 to 5, inclusive, to 23 pupils, with the exception that grades 4 and 5 in a participating school would be eligible if the total average enrollment is not higher than 23.4, subject to a collective bargaining agreement. Appropriates funds to the Superintendent of Public Instruction to evaluate the program. Title: A.B. 231 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet TX Signed into law 06/2001 P-12 A campus or district that is granted an exception from class size limits shall provide written notice of the exception to the parent of or person standing in parental relation to each student affected by the exception. Title: H.B. 3313 Source: Texas Legislative Web Site CA Signed into law 09/2000 P-12 Allows a school district that maintains only one school that serves pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 3, inclusive with an annual average class size of not more than 20 pupils to determine average class size by calculating the total number of pupils enrolled in all grade levels that will participate in the Class Size Reduction Program divided by the total number of classes. Title: A.B. 1608 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet CA Signed into law 09/2000 P-12 This establishes 2 options under which a school district may apply to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for funds from the program. Under Option One, a school district that provides a reduced class size for all pupils in each classroom for the full regular schooldays for each grade level may receive an apportionment equal to $ 800 per pupil. Under Option Two, a school district that provides a reduced class size for all pupils in each classroom for at least 1/2 of the instructional minutes offered per day at each grade level may receive an apportionment equal to $ 400 per pupil. Title: S.B. 871 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet WA Approved by voters 06/2000 P-12 INITIATIVE 728: Shall school districts reduce class sizes, extend learning programs, expand teacher training, and construct facilities, funded by lottery proceeds, existing property taxes, and budget reserves? Title: Initiative 728 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet AZ Signed into law 03/2000 P-12 Requires schools to include information relating to classroom pupil to teacher ratios on the school report card for kindergarten through grade three if a school provides instruction for those grades; targets kindergarten through third grade pupil to teacher ratios to measure where Arizona is in relation to average class size in these grade levels; provides for a general effective date. Title: S.B. 1167 Source: Lexis-Nexis/StateNet GA Signed into law 03/2000 P-12 The new class sizes are funded as follows: Kindergarten – 1:15; Kindergarten Early Intervention Program – 1:11; Grades 1-3 – 1:17; Grades 1-3 Early Intervention Program – 1:11 Title: H.B. 1187 Source: Georgia Department of Education