House approves $26 million class size reduction bill

Monday the House passed a bill that would create a grant program aimed at lowering class sizes in the early grades and improving work environments for teachers.

HB194 would set aside $26 million to create the K-3 Class Size Reduction Incentive Program, which would require schools that participate to reduce class sizes to a specific number. The idea is to provide more individualized attention that is "critical" for students in the early grades when they are first learning to read, write and do math.

But some lawmakers were concerned that the money would not go to reducing class sizes since there has been a line item in the budget earmarked for class size reduction, though class sizes for the most part have not shrunk, which is why some lawmakers questioned whether the bill would make any difference.

Bill sponsor Rep. Karen Morgan, D-Cottonwood Heights, said an audit found that the past money had been used to hire new teachers, as was the purpose, but it had gone to fund growth. It was a maintenance of effort, she said.

Under the new measure accountability measures would be in place and if schools did not reduce class sizes to the parameters specified in the bill then the school would be required to give the funding back.

According to the bill those schools that receive the grants must reduce class sizes to parameters specified in the bill — Kindergarten classes must be reduced to around 18 students, first grade must be around 20 and second and third graders would be required to have around 22 students.