SB 5797-S - DIGEST

(AS OF SENATE 2ND READING 3/10/99)

     Finds that improving the student to certificated instructional staff ratio will give school districts additional, stable resources to support student learning by providing the flexibility to lower class size and to provide students with the individual attention they need to learn to the best of their abilities and to reach the new and higher learning standards or to provide additional staff to support student learning in other ways.

     Finds that providing for additional staff will give school districts the opportunity to provide a safer and more disciplined learning environment.

     Declares an intent to provide stability and improve planning for school districts by placing improvements to the allocation formula for kindergarten through third grade into statute.  The legislature intends to improve the allocation formula based upon the number of students in grades four and five and place those improvements into statute.