Even though Gov. Gray Davis has proposed full funding for the state's highly regarded class size reduction program and CTA has defeated at least four different bills that would have dismantled the program, administrative groups are still pressing lawmakers to approve measures that would allow districts to increase class sizes for millions of students.
When he released his revised budget proposal in May, the governor told reporters that the full funding he proposed for class size reduction was designed to support the progress schools have demonstrated.
While a number of districts - including Livermore - acted quickly to restore the class size program, administrator groups are continuing to push for the "flexibility" to boost student-teacher ratios by at least 10 percent.
One CTA-opposed measure, SB 556 by Sen. Byron Sher (D-Palo Alto), that would boost the ratios by that amount cleared the state Senate on a 27-3 vote. However, that bill is currently stalled in the Assembly.
CTA and Californians for Smaller Class Sizes, a coalition of parent, education and community organizations dedicated to preserving this key educational reform, stand ready to defeat the proposal should it come up for further action this year.
The bill would let districts increase class size by 10 percent and divert some of the program's funding to other non-classroom uses. The boost in student-teacher ratios would give California the largest class sizes in the nation. And despite claims by districts, the bill would not save the state any money or help balance the budget.
In conversations with lawmakers, CTA representatives have been stressing that:
- Research proves smaller classes improve student learning. A study by the Public Policy Institute of California found five of California's largest school districts have seen a significant increase in student test scores since the class size program began.
- Smaller classes are especially vital for high-need students. For instance, research in the Los Angeles Unified School District determined that reading scores rose by 19.5 percent, math scores by 29.2 percent, and language scores by 22.5 percent for high-need students in small classes.
- Parents and teachers know smaller classes work. More than 70 percent of voters believe reducing class sizes is a very effective way to improve public schools.