How much does class size impact learning?
SEATTLE- The issue of class size has been a sticking point in recent contract negotiations in school districts in our area, and is near and dear to the hearts of both parents and teachers.
On Sunday in Snoqualmie Valley, teachers approved a new contract in a 59% vote. Instead of caps on class size, target numbers were set at 26 students for kindergarten, 28 in grades 1 to 3 and 30 students per class in grades 4 and 5.
If classes exceed those numbers, teachers can choose either extra pay of $7 per day for each extra child the first year, $8 the second year and $9 the third, or they choose a half day of planning time per extra student per trimester or one hour of aide time per week for each extra student.
In the South Kitsap School District, secondary class size will be reduced by two students in the first semester and by an additional student in the second semester. Class size will be reduced by one more student in 2015. Elementary classes that are split between two grades will be reduced in size over the next three years. Elementary school classes will also be lowered by one student next year.
Seattle Public Schools took class size increases off the table in recent negotiations.
Coming up on Q13 FOX News at 4:00 and 5:00, we’ll talk to an expert who explains what research on class size shows. Is overcrowding detrimental to learning? Tune in to find out.