Meeting Summary

 

Discussion for modification to the existing class size provisions—

Sen. Stephenson talked to us about some changes to the existing statute.  Changes include:

 

·         Districts/charter school must meet outlined requirements (see attachment for details)

·         Districts/charter schools that do not currently meet those requirements; must submit a plan to, and get approval of the State Office of Education showing how they would meet the requirements outlined within the next 2 fiscal years

·         If the district/charter school does not meet the benchmarks the district must prepare a new plan to be approved and implemented before they receive an allocation for next year

·         If after 3 years the district fails to meet the plan they may no longer participate in the appropriation

·         Each year the district/charter school shall submit a report to the State Board of Education accounting for its expenditure of class size reduction monies

·         If a district or charter school uses class size money in a manner that is inconsistent with the plan or Section 53A-17a-124.5; they are liable for reimbursing the State Board of Education for that amount of class size reduction money

Larry Shumway will be talking to the superintendents about possible modifications to this proposed language.

Class Size requirements are based on student/teacher ratios

The legislators present all believed that the legislature would not pass any class size legislation without standards attached.

Should local school boards stand up for what they believe in and do their part reducing class size with levies?  Sen. Stephenson believes such levies should be pooled to create equity.

 

Judy Park— class size data

Class size is difficult to calculate.

Class size definition in State Statute/Board Rule—see slides 3-6 of attachment

Class Size definition:

Example:

Course Section - Class Period - Teacher - Students

Ele Grade 4      -        01         -   97052   -    20

Ele Grade 4      -        01         -   93456   -    21

Ele Grade 4      -        01         -   96123   -      5

# of Students  46

# of Classes    3

Avg Class Size 15

 

There are many opinions on what class, a student, and a teacher are-- many are not what the statute definition reflects.  What is it that we want the data to tell us?

Class size information as defined by statute will be included on the UPASS report starting in 2008.

We must all work together to address this issue.

 

Please review the attachments for additional information