SENATE BILL REPORT

EHB 1865

BYRepresentatives Brough, Peery, Holland, Haugen, Betrozoff, Sayan, Ballard, Cole, Winsley, Morris, Kremen and Todd

Limiting class size in grades kindergarten through three.

House Committe on Education

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 28, 1989; March 30, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Bailey, Chairman; Lee, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Bender, Benitz, Craswell, Fleming, Gaspard, Metcalf, Murray, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Susan Finkel (786-7483)

                  March 31, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 30, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Prior to 1987, a school district could demonstrate compliance for funding purposes by: 1) demonstrating a ratio of no greater than 25 students per classroom teacher in grades kindergarten through grade three; or 2) by demonstrating the kindergarten through third grade ratio of students per classroom teacher was equal to or less than the ratio of students per classroom teacher in grades four through 12.  In 1987, the Legislature repealed the ability to demonstrate compliance by having a ratio of no greater than 25 students per classroom teacher in grades kindergarten through three.  A study of class size conducted by the Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Program and Education Committee staff found the average class size for grades kindergarten through three to be 26.6 with a most commonly occurring class size of 27.  Some classes in grades kindergarten through three had as many as 40 students.  Grades four through 12 averaged 23.9 with the most commonly occurring class size of 24.  The school districts were not using the ratio method to achieve smaller classes.

SUMMARY:

School districts may demonstrate basic education compliance by a ratio of no greater than 23 students per classroom teacher in grades kindergarten through three for the 1989-90 and 1990-91 school years.  Beginning in the 1991-92 school year for each year in which the funding allocation for grades kindergarten through three is increased by one certificated instructional staff per 1,000 full time equivalent students, the number of students per classroom for compliance purposes shall be decreased by one student per classroom.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Judy Hartmann, WEA (pro)