Cautionary Notice: As added and amended by SBX3 4 (Ch. 12, Third Extraordinary Session, Statutes of 2009) and ABX4 2 (Ch. 2, Fourth Extraordinary Session, Statutes of 2009), Education Code 42605 grants districts flexibility in "Tier 3" categorical programs. The Modoc Joint Unified School District has accepted this flexibility and thus is deemed in compliance with the statutory or regulatory program and funding requirements for these programs for the 2008-09 through 2012-13 fiscal years. As a result, the district may temporarily suspend certain provisions of the following policy or regulation that reflect these requirements. For further information, please contact the Superintendent or designee.
The Board of Trustees recognizes that the number of students in a class may affect the extent to which teachers can identify and respond to individual student needs.
In accordance with negotiated employee agreements and state law, and upon the recommendation of the Superintendent or designee, the Board shall establish upper and lower class size limits appropriate for the grade level or subject taught and conducive to the effective use of teaching staff.
(cf. 4141/4241 - Collective Bargaining Agreement)
The Superintendent or designee shall regularly submit reports that will enable the Board to evaluate the effectiveness of the class size reduction program and its impact on student achievement and on the attainment of the district's goals. These reports shall also include an analysis of the impact of class size reduction on staffing and school facilities needs.
(cf. 0200 - Goals for the School District)
(cf. 0500 - Accountability)
(cf. 6117 - Year-Round Schedules)
(cf. 7111 - Evaluating Existing Buildings)
Class Size Reduction in Grades K-3
The Board believes that small class size is beneficial to students in the primary grades as they acquire the basic skills that serve as the foundation for their subsequent learning. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that classes in primary grades designated by the Board are reduced to 20 or fewer students per teacher in accordance with law.
Full-time mainstreamed special education students shall be included in determining class size for purposes of the class size reduction program.
In accordance with law, the Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the teachers of classes in the class size reduction program receive training designed to help them to maximize the educational advantages of class size reduction.
(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)
If it becomes necessary to consider reducing or eliminating certain grade levels or schools from participation in the class size reduction program, the Superintendent or designee shall prepare a report analyzing the potential impact of the program's elimination, including the effects on the district's budget, transportation, facilities, staffing and collective bargaining agreement, as well as the potential impact on student achievement and learning. He/she shall present recommendations to the Board in accordance with the priorities specified in law.
Class Size Reduction in Grades 9-12
The Board desires to participate in class size reduction to provide an average class size of no more than 20 students in courses that count toward completion of graduation requirements in English, mathematics, science, or social studies. In accordance with law, priority shall be given to reducing class size in English courses in grade 9. If funding is available, the Superintendent or designee shall recommend other ninth grade courses from the subjects listed above from which reduced class sizes are likely to provide the greatest impact on student learning.
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
17042 Rules for determining area of adequate school construction; exceptions
17042.7 Formula for calculation
33050 Nonwaivable provisions
35160 Authority of the board
41375 Legislative intent encouraging reduction in class size
41376 Minimum class size standards
41378 Apportionments and allowances, kindergarten classes
42280 Necessary small schools
46205 Computation for early-late programs
51225.3 Graduation requirements
52080-52090 Morgan-Hart Class Size Reduction Act
52120-52128.5 Class Size Reduction program
GOVERNMENT CODE
3543.2 Scope of representation
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
15103 Definitions
15130-15133 Class size reduction program K-3
15140-15141 Class size reduction in two courses in grade 9
Management Resources:
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
Frequently Asked Questions, K-3 Class Size Reduction Program, revised July 2005
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Department of Education, class size reduction: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/cs/
Policy MODOC JOINT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: November 14, 2006 Alturas, California