SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6584

BYSenators Gaspard, Murray, Bailey, Talmadge, Bender, Warnke, Rinehart, Bauer and Sutherland

Increasing instructional staff ratios.

Senate Committee on Education

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 29, 1990

Senate Staff:Leslie Goldstein (786-7424)

AS OF JANUARY 29, 1990

BACKGROUND:

Some research indicates that lower class sizes contribute to greater academic achievement by students.  Over the past six years the funding formula ratio for grades kindergarten through three has been enhanced by five certificated instructional staff per 1,000 full time equivalent students. In the 1984-85 school year the funding formula provided for a ratio of 46:1,000 in grades K-3.  For the 1989-90 school year the Legislature enhanced the funding formula to 51:1,000 in grades kindergarten through three.  The ratio for grades four through six has remained at 46:1,000.

SUMMARY:

During the next ten years the formula adopted by the Legislature for the ratio of certificated instructional staff to full-time equivalent students is gradually increased.  By the 1998-99 school year the formula would reflect a ratio of 52:1,000 in grades kindergarten through three and 51:1,000 in grades four through twelve. 

Districts are required to use the additional allocations to provide for certificated instructional staff to reduce the student teacher ratio.  However, subject to considerations including programmatic constraints, facility limitations, and the availability of certificated instructional staff with appropriate endorsements, the additional allocations may be used to provide either certificated or classified staff whose primary duties are the daily educational instruction of students.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    requested