S.C. Educators Considering Removing Some Class Size Rules
Monday, October 7, 2013 at 5:28AM The South Carolina Board of Education is considering getting rid of maximum class sizes in some grades.
The board gave initial approval in September to getting rid of requirements that fourth- and fifth-grade English and math teachers have no more than 30 students in their classrooms. It also would eliminate maximum class size rules in pre-kindergarten and in music and physical education classes and do away with staffing ratios for media specialists, guidance counselors, assistant principals and principals.
It would not change state law on maximum class sizes in other areas, such as allowing no more than 28 students in classes in first through third grade.
A committee will discuss the issue this week, and the board will consider whether to give the changes final approval next month. If passed, they would go to the Legislature for approval.
State Superintendent Mick Zais wants to give schools more freedom. Supporters said the proposals came up as the state Education Department reviewed all regulations.
“The flexibility is looking at not having hard-and-fast ratios,” said Roy Stehle, the director of the Education Department’s Office of Federal and State Accountability. “It is about giving districts the flexibility in terms of staffing to make adjustments as they need to make adjustments.”
Opponents of the proposals say the rules are in place to assure quality education and that districts can already get a waiver if they need to have bigger classes.
State Board of Education Chairman David Blackmon said he voted for the proposals the first time so they could be discussed further, but he doesn’t agree with them.
“What protections are there for teachers and students when they have more students in the classroom than is reasonable for them to accommodate?” he asked.
Reader Comments