THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2597

TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2016

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to education.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the United States Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences has concluded that class size reduction is one of only four evidence-based reforms proven to increase student achievement.  Experiments in Tennessee, Wisconsin, and other states have demonstrated that students in smaller classes score better on standardized tests, receive better grades, and exhibit improved attendance.  Moreover, the students that are benefitting most from smaller class sizes are often from poor and minority backgrounds and these students experience twice the achievement gains compared to other students.

     The legislature further finds that a United States Department of Education study analyzed the achievement of students in 2,561 schools across the nation by their performance on the National Assessment of Educational Progress exams.  After controlling for student background, the only objective factor that correlated with higher test scores was class size.

     The purpose of this Act is to increase achievement through the reduction of class size in all grade levels.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§302A-    Class size; public schools.  (a)  Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, excluding charter schools, no public elementary school class shall exceed an enrollment of twenty students.

     (b)  Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, excluding charter schools, no public secondary school class shall exceed an enrollment of twenty-six students.

     (c)  Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, enrollment in a fully self-contained class at an elementary school shall not exceed four students.

     (d)  Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, enrollment in an inclusion class at an elementary school shall not exceed fifteen students.

     (e)  Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, enrollment in a fully self-contained class at a secondary school shall not exceed six students.

     (f)  Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, enrollment in an inclusion class at a secondary school shall not exceed twenty students.

     (g)  Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, enrollment in a content-based English language learning class at an elementary school shall not exceed fifteen students.

     (h)  Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, enrollment in a content-based English language learning class at a secondary school shall not exceed twenty students.

     (i)  The total number of students in all classes for which one teacher is responsible in any school year shall not exceed one hundred fifty students.

     (j)  This section shall not apply to any class that provides instruction in band, orchestra, choir, or theatre.

     (k)  A school principal may waive the class size restrictions established pursuant to this section to:

     (1)  Allow students to enroll in high-demand classes;

     (2)  Provide course offerings to an incoming transfer student; or

     (3)  Allow a high school senior to complete a course required for graduation.

     (l)  The board shall amend any board policies related to class size to conform with the class sizes established in this section.

     (m)  For the purposes of this section:

     "Content-based English language learning class" means any class providing instruction only to students with limited English language proficiency.

     "Fully self-contained class" means any class that provides instruction only to special education students.

     "Inclusion class" means any class that provides instruction to general education and special education students."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Class Size; Enrollment; Maximum; Department of Education

 

Description:

Establishes maximum student enrollment per school class for various types of public school classrooms beginning with the 2020-2021 school year.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.