The Board of Education 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 subject or grade level taught and conducive to the effective use of teaching staff.
(cf. 4141/4241 - Collective Bargaining Agreement)
In establishing class size reduction programs for designated grade levels and courses, the Superintendent or designee shall determine the potential impact of class size reduction on staffing and school facilities needs and shall recommend ways to address these needs without negatively affecting other grade levels and district programs.
(cf. 1431 - Waivers)
(cf. 6117 - Year-Round Schedules)
(cf. 7111 - Evaluating Existing Buildings)
The Superintendent or designee shall regularly prepare reports that will enable the Board to evaluate the impact of class size on the achievement of district educational goals.
(cf. 0100 - Philosophy)
(cf. 0200 - Goals for the School District)
(cf. 0500 - Accountability)
(cf. 6190 - Evaluation of the Instructional Program)
Class Size Reduction in Grades K-3
The Board believes that small class size is beneficial to students in the elementary 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 designated elementary grades are reduced to 20 or fewer students per teacher.
Full-time mainstreamed special education students shall be included in determining class size for purposes of the class size reduction program.
(cf. 6159 - Individualized Education Program)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
17042 Rules for determining area of adequate school construction; exceptions
17042.7 Formula for calculation
17200-17208 Class size reduction facilities funding
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
52120-52128 Class Size Reduction Program
52080-52090 Morgan-Hart Class Size Reduction Act of 1989
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:
CDE PROGRAM ADVISORIES
1007.96 Class Size Reduction and the Relationship to Individuals with Disabilities
0921.90 Implementing Class Size Reduction under the Morgan-Hart Class Size Reduction Act of 1989: CIL: 90/91-01
WEB SITES
Policy PETALUMA CITY SCHOOLS
adopted: June 25, 2002 Petaluma, California