DEL.ICIO.USGEORGIA
State school board approves larger classes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Georgia public schools can increase the number of students in most elementary and middle school classes by two children next school year under a cost-savings plan State Board of Education members approved Thursday.
Staff officials said bumping up maximum class sizes in core elementary and middle school classes by two students — just for the 2009-10 school year — would help local systems deal with anticipated budget shortfalls during the recession.
State schools Superintendent Kathy Cox said the change would save about $200 million statewide on the cost of hiring new teachers. That savings could help many systems avoid having to eliminate some positions, such as paraprofessionals and others who support classroom teachers.
The maximum size for kindergarten would increase to 20 students; grades 1-3 would increase to 23; and grades 4-8 would increase to 30.
Core high school classes will remain capped at 32 students.
Core classes cover English, math, science, social studies and foreign languages.
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Comments
By Daniel
Jan 12, 2009 10:16 AM | Link to this
Elementary class size max is 28.
By Joe
Jan 8, 2009 6:20 PM | Link to this
Caps on class sizes are not observed anyway...I've had elementary classes ranging in size from 19 to 25, while the cap has been 18 all along.
What is a school supposed to do with new students when they register if all the classes in that grade level are at the maximum? They have no choice but to put the students in existing classes, even if it puts those classes over the maximum.
By TW
Jan 8, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this
Never has the state of GA been in more dire need of good leadership and at the same time been so far from it.
The rightwing war on education is beginning to pay dividends.
By holly
Jan 8, 2009 12:16 PM | Link to this
Thanks a lot Gov. This state takes a step forward for education and then takes two steps back.
By Ray
Jan 8, 2009 12:12 PM | Link to this
Forget test scores! Any state that celebrates larger class sizes donęt need no stinkinę low test scores to show off its ignorance ę YEEEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!
Suppose this could be a form of Darwinism? Will stupid states start eating their young?????????
Howęs about we get rid of that pesky DUI nonsense that clogs up the courts?
Close Emergency Rooms?
By Doug
Jan 8, 2009 11:36 AM | Link to this
This is a sensible cost saving move by the state. School districts can save money by not replacing retiring teachers and keeping the payrolls under control. People and payroll are ultimately the only way for school systems to trim budgets and this measure is a sensible approach.
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