Board Policy

BP 6151

Instruction

Class Size

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. Prior to offering courses with less than 20 students in grades 6-12 the Board shall review all courses.

(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 grades 1-3 are reduced to 20 or fewer students per teacher.

Full-time mainstreamed special education students shall not be included in determining class size for purposes of the class size reduction program.

(cf. 6159 - Individualized Education Program)

The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the teachers of these classes receive training which will help them to maximize the educational advantages of class size reduction.

(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)

Early-Late Programs in Grades K-8

As a means of providing more individualized instruction, the Board encourages the use of early-late programs funded pursuant to Education Code 46205.

Class Size Reduction in Grades 9-12

The Board desires to provide an average class size of no more than 20 students in courses that count toward completion of graduation requirements in English and mathematics, in grade 9.

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

CDE: http://www.cde.ca.gov

Policy PALOS VERDES PENINSULA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

adopted: May 24, 2001 Palos Verdes Estates, California