CTA representatives, supported by more than 1100 letters from State Council members, defeated measures introduced during the Special Legislative session that would have raised or effectively eliminated the state's successful class-size reduction program.
Had the measure passed, districts throughout the state would have been allowed to jam more students into each classroom, undermining the academic gains students have already made because of this important educational reform.
The key measure killed was ABI X 5 by Assembly Member Lynn Daucher (R-72). CTA and its supporters helped defeat the bill in early February in the Assembly Budget Committee. ABI X 5 would have authorized all school districts to determine average class size on a school site basis. The measure would have allowed districts to enroll as many as 22 students in any single class, as compared to the current 20 student per class cap.
At least four similar bills have been introduced as part of the 2003 regular Legislative Session. Superintendents, school business officials and some school board members who claim local school districts must have "flexibility" are pushing for approval of these measures.
The bills' backers are championing "flexibility" as a way to divert money from classrooms to other programs administrators favor. They are angling to jam more students in classrooms and to keep the money many may receive from the state (about $888 per student).
Districts would gain the "flexibility" - if class sizes were increased - to lay off more than 6,000 teachers, freeing up $400 million statewide for pet projects, CTA budget experts say.
CTA is building a community-based coalition to join teachers in supporting smaller class sizes for students. The coalition already includes the California State PTA, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Black American Political Association of California, People for the American Way, Industrial Areas Foundation and Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now.
CTA Members:
Urge members of Assembly Education to defeat four class-size "flexibility" bills scheduled for a hearing on March 5.
The bills - whose provisions are all opposed by CTA - are
AB 42, by Assembly Member Daucher. Its provisions are virtually identical to the AB1 X5 defeated earlier this month.
AB 163, by Assembly Member Joe Nation (D-Sonoma). This measure would eliminate the class-size caps in academic subjects in the Tamalpais Union High School District.
AB 212, by Assembly Member Maze (R-34), would allow districts to cram as many as 24 students in K-3 classrooms, compared to the current maximum of 20.
AB 228, by Assembly Member Tim Leslie (R-Roseville). This proposal would allow districts to determine class-size averages on a school-site, rather than classroom basis. It would let more than 22 students be jammed into single classrooms on any given day.
Serving on the Assembly Education Committee are the following lawmakers:
(Note: clicking on the e-mail notation should allow you to e-mail directly to each lawmaker - if you are logged on to your Internet service provider. If the link does not work, you may e-mail each by using the address Assemblymember.name@assembly.ca.gov. For instance, Assemblymember Wyland's e-mail address is Assemblymember.Wyland@assembly.ca.gov.)