Policy 6151 - Class Size

Class Size

The Board of Education recognizes that in order to provide a valuable education to students of the district, class sizes should be maintained at levels which are conducive to the most effective use of district teaching personnel and the practice of valuable teaching methods for the benefit of the students.

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 the class size reduction on staffing and school facilities’ needs.

Grade Span Adjustment on Grades K-3

The Board believes that the 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.

For grades K-3, the district shall annually make progress toward maintaining an average class of not more than 24 students, unless an alternative annual average class size for each school site is collectively bargained.

Full-time mainstreamed special education students shall be included in determining class size for purposes of the class size reduction program.

Class Size Reduction in Grades 9-12

At the secondary level, district priorities for class size reduction shall focus on English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and other courses that are necessary for completion of graduation requirements and shall be aligned with student needs as identified in the district’s local control and accountability plan (LCAP).

Special Education Class

Size For students who require special education and related services, the ratio of instructional adults to students in group services shall be dependent on the needs of the students. However, for children ages 3-5 years who are placed in group services, the adult-child ratio shall be less than 1:8 and the teacher-child ratio shall be less than 1:24. For children ages 3-5 who are identified as severely disabled, the ratio of instructional adults to children shall not exceed 1:5.