TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PAPER
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PAPER
No: 2005-04
Implementation of the Class Size Reduction
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Amendment in Charter Schools
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Background
Section 1 of Article IX of the Florida Constitution was amended in November 2002 to reduce the
maximum class size in Florida’s public schools. By the beginning of the 2010-2011 school year,
the maximum number of students in core-curricula courses assigned to a teacher in each of the
following three grade ranges shall be:
•
18 students in Prekindergarten through Grade 3
•
22 students in Grades 4 through 8
•
25 students in Grades 9 through 12
Core curricula courses for class size reduction are those belonging to the following areas:
Mathematics, Language Arts/Reading, Science, Social Studies, Foreign Language, English for
Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Exceptional Student Education (ESE), and courses taught
in traditional self-contained elementary school classrooms. Specific legal descriptions of these
courses may be found in Section 1003.01(14), Florida Statutes. Courses outside the core
curriculum (such as physical education classes or fine arts classes, for example) are not included.
The 2003 Florida Legislature enacted Senate Bill 30-A to implement provisions of the class size
amendment, define the progress that must be made, and provide funding to implement the
reduction of the average number of students in each classroom. The legislation specifies a two
student per year reduction beginning with district averages during the 2003-2004 through 2005-
2006 school years; a two student reduction in school averages during the 2006-2007 and 2007-
2008 school years; and a two student reduction in individual classrooms in 2008-2009 until class
size goals are reached in 2010-2011. To assist in implementation of the amendment and
determining whether or not districts and schools are in compliance with the legislation, data are
collected through the Department of Education’s Student Data Base to provide benchmark class
size data, track changes over time, and be used for measuring progress toward the Constitutional
requirements.
Compliance with Class Size Reduction Requirements
2003-2004 to 2005-2006
Progress toward class size reduction will be measured using average class size for grade
groupings K-3, 4-8, and 9-12 at the
district level
during the 2003-2004, 2004-2005, and 2005-
2006 school years.
Charter schools are not included in the district averages for these school
years since they are independently governed public schools.
2006-2007 to 2007-2008
Beginning with the 2006–2007 school year, progress toward class size reduction will be measured
at the
school level
for traditional public schools and for charter schools. Each school with
average class sizes exceeding the constitutional maximums must reduce their average class size
for each applicable grade grouping by two students per year or until their class
size averages no
longer exceed the constitutional maximums. To be in compliance, the
school level
average of a
charter school must meet the class size caps by grade groups, i.e., 18 students in grades K-3; 22
students in grades 4-8; and 25 students in grades 9-12; or be reduced by two students at the
school level
from the previous year. The October 2005 Survey 2 data will be used as the
baseline for the charter school 2006-2007 school-level compliance measure.
Beginning in 2006-2007, charter schools that have not complied with the school-level average by
reducing the size of their classes by two students per year
(as determined by the school
average obtained in the October 2006 Survey 2 data) or by
reaching the constitutional class
size caps
will not be in compliance and will be subject to the transfer calculation specified in
Section 1003.03(4), Florida Statutes. The Department will provide notification to charter schools
that are not in compliance with the school level average following the October 2005 Survey 2 and
the February 2006 Survey 3.
2008-2009 to 2009-2010
During the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 school years, progress toward class size reduction will be
measured at the
classroom level
. Class size counts will document classrooms in which the
number of students exceeds the constitutional maximums and will include the number of students
in excess of the constitutional maximums for each of these classes. Required progress for each
charter school will be based on these counts.
Charter School Implementation of Class Size Reduction
In August 2004, the Department released a Technical Assistance Paper (TAP) outlining class size
reduction accountability planning requirements for charter schools. Every operating charter school
is required to submit an annual Class Size Reduction Plan that describes in detail how the school
will reach the constitutional maximum class size requirement by school year 2010-2011. The plan
must provide information describing how the class size reduction funds will be used to move the
school toward meeting the school-level class size reduction requirement. If the charter school is at
the school-level cap and therefore in compliance, the plan should describe how the school will use
the class size reduction dollars to maintain the school-level cap.
The Department has developed a Charter School Class Size Reduction Plan template for charter
schools to use in developing plans to move toward meeting class size requirements and reporting
essential class size information. The template is included as part of this technical assistance paper
and available electronically at http://www.floridaschoolchoice.org/Information/Charter_Schools/.
Plans for the 2005–2006 school year must be submitted electronically to Karen Hines-Henry at
karen.hines@fldoe.org no later than
January 31, 2006
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Uses of Class Size Reduction Funds
The Class Size Reduction allocation was first established in 2003-2004 as an operating categorical
that is calculated based on weighted FTE. Charter schools receive their proportionate share of
class size reduction funding.
Charter schools that are not in compliance with the constitutional maximums may use the funds to
defray expenses necessary “to reduce class size in any lawful manner.” Any lawful manner may
include, for those charter schools that own, are building to own, or are purchasing facilities,
expenditures for such mortgage payments, remodeling or construction as are necessary to expand
its facilities to allow it to meet the class size requirements. For those charter schools that achieve,
and then maintain, the maximum allowable class sizes prior to the 2010 deadline, the funds may
be used for any lawful operational expenses, with priority given to utilization of the funds to
increase teacher salaries.
Consequences for Charter Schools Not Meeting Class Size Requirements
Consequences for charter schools that do not meet class size reduction requirements will begin in
the 2006-2007 school year.
Class Size Reduction Accountability and Compliance Requirements by School Year
SCHOOL
YEAR
ACCOUNTABILITY
LEVEL
CHARTER SCHOOL COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS
•
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Charter school Class Size Data collected in October 2003 Survey 2
•
Charter school data
no
t included
in district average
2003-2004
DISTRICT
•
Charter schools plan to meet compliance requirements
•
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Charter school class size data collected in October 2004 Survey 2
•
Charter school data
not included
in district average
2004-2005
DISTRICT
•
Every charter school submits a Class Size Reduction Plan to DOE in November 2004
2005-2006
DISTRICT
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•
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Charter school Class Size Data collected in October 2005 Survey 2
•
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Charter school data
not included
in district average
•
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October 2005 Survey 2 data used as
baseline
for charter school 2006-2007 school-level
compliance measure
•
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DOE provides compliance data in December 2005 to charter schools and districts
•
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Every operating charter school submits a Class Size Reduction Plan to DOE by January
31, 2006
•
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DOE analyzes plans and provides assistance during February 2006 to charter schools not
in compliance
•
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Charter schools have opportunity to come into compliance in February 2006 Survey 3
•
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DOE continues to monitor plans and provide assistance to enable schools to come into
compliance in the 2006-2007 school year
•
Charter school Class Size Data collected in October 2006 Survey 2
•
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Charter school data
not included
in district’s school-level average
•
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DOE provides compliance data in November 2006 to charter schools and districts
SCHOOL
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•
Every operating charter school submits a Class Size Reduction Plan to DOE by December
29, 2006
•
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DOE analyzes plans and provides assistance during January 2007 to charter schools not in
compliance
•
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Charter schools have opportunity to come into compliance in February 2007 Survey 3
•
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DOE continues to monitor plans and provide assistance to schools not in compliance
•
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Consequences for districts and charter schools not in compliance
2006-2007
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•
Charter school Class Size Data Collected in October 2007 Survey 2
•
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Charter school data
no
t included
in district’s school-level average
•
?
DOE provides compliance data in November 2007 to charter schools and districts
SCHOOL
?
•
Every operating charter school submits a Class Size Reduction Plan to DOE by December
28, 2007
•
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DOE analyzes plans and provides assistance during January 2008 to charter schools not in
compliance
•
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Charter schools have opportunity to come into compliance in February 2008 Survey 3
•
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DOE continues to monitor plans and provide assistance to schools not in compliance
•
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Consequences for districts and charter schools not in compliance
2007-2008
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2008-2009
CLASSROOM
Requirements and Information will be Forthcoming
2009-2010 CLASSROOM
Requirements and Information will be Forthcoming
2010-2011
FULL COMPLIANCE
Requirements and Information will be Forthcoming
Use of Co-Teaching
On June 21, 2005, the State Board of Education established policy regarding the use of co-
teaching to meet the requirements of the class size reduction amendment. Co-teaching is an
instructional strategy whereby two or more teachers in a classroom share responsibility for
planning, delivering, and evaluating instruction for all students in a class for the entire class period.
While co-teaching may be a valuable strategy for delivering instruction, it is
not
an acceptable
approach to meet the requirements of the Class Size Amendment for traditional public or for
charter schools.
In the 2005-06 school year, co-teaching will be included in the calculation of
district
average class
sizes; however, the percentage of classes taught using the co-teaching strategy in each district for
each of the grade groupings may not increase over that calculated for 2004-2005. Beginning in
2006-2007, co-teaching in traditional public schools and charter schools
will not
be used in
calculating compliance with the
school-level
averages.
Charter schools should continue to deliver instruction in a manner that best serves the educational
needs of students.
Charter schools using co-teaching as an instructional strategy to meet the
unique learning needs of students, such as Montessori charter schools, will need to plan for the
2006-2007 school year to make certain that co-teaching is being used and reported within the
confines of the class size requirements. Charter schools that are currently using co-teaching as a
strategy for class size reduction should review other scheduling options and develop a plan that
can be put in place beginning with the start of the 2006–2007 school year.
Questions and Answers
1.
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What is meant by “average class size” for districts and schools?
Average class size means the average number of students per class for a specified group of
classes. Average class size is measured by adding the number of students assigned to each
class in a specified group of classes and dividing this compiled number of students by the
number of classes in the group.
2.
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What does “cap” mean?
When used in reference to class size reduction, “cap” is the maximum number of students
allowed in a core class by fall 2010 for each of the three grade ranges addressed in the
Constitutional amendment.
3.
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How is a “class” defined for purposes of calculating class size?
A class is identified as a core course/section combination with one or more teachers scheduled
in a particular room, in a particular school, in a specified term, during a specific period and day
of the week.
4.
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What does it mean for a charter school to be in compliance with class size reduction
requirements?
To be in compliance, charter school averages must meet the class size caps by grade
grouping, i.e., 18 students in grades K-23; 22 students in grades 4-8; and 25 students in grades
9-12; or be reduced by two students at the school level from the previous year.
5.
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Will the DOE notify charter schools that are in compliance?
Yes.
The DOE will compile Charter School Class Size Reduction Data after October 2005
Survey 2 and after February 2006 Survey 3 and make both reports available to charter schools
and districts.
6.
Do I need to submit a Class Size Reduction Plan if my charter school is in compliance?
Yes. All charter schools must complete and submit the planning template each year according
to the timelines outlined on page 2 of this TAP. In addition to requiring charter schools to
identify strategies that will be used to meet class size requirements, it also provides a reporting
mechanism for the use of class size reduction funds.
7.
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May charter schools continue to use co-teachers as an instructional strategy?
Charter schools should continue to deliver instruction in a manner that bests serves the
educational needs of students. Charter schools may use co-teaching within the confines of the
class size reduction requirements and consistent with the methodology for correctly coding the
appropriate delivery of instruction.
9.
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Does the information in this TAP differ from the TAP that was released in August 2004?
If so, why did it change?
The current TAP has been expanded to more fully address issues and answer questions that
have been asked since the August 2004 TAP was released. The requirement for every charter
school to develop an annual class size reduction plan has not changed. However, the
Department has developed a reporting template for charter schools to use in the 2005- 2006
school year to facilitate the collection of consistent information and coordination of technical
assistance.
10.
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When will consequences begin for charter schools that are not in compliance with class
size requirements?
Consequences for individual charter schools not in compliance will begin in the 2006-2007
school year.
Additional Resources and Information
Charter schools are encouraged to contact the MIS Department at the school district office for
additional information on baseline class size data and the calculation of class size averages using
FTE Survey data. For specific questions regarding data that cannot be answered locally, contact
Lavan Dukes, Bureau Chief, Education Information and Accountability Services, (850) 245-0400,
lavan.dukes@fldoe.org.
For additional information on funding, contact Glenda Todd, Office of Funding and Financial
Reporting, (850) 245-0405, glenda.todd@fldoe.org.
For questions and information on charter school class size reduction strategies and techniques,
contact Karen Hines-Henry, Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, (850) 245-
0502, karen.hines@fldoe.org. .
All Florida Department of Education paperless communications relating to class size are located at
www.firn.edu/doe/arm/class-size.htm.
Please refer to this site for all previous memoranda and
information related to the class size reduction requirements.
Contact Information:
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Office of Independent
Karen Hines-Henry
Education and
850-245-0502
Parental Choice
karen.hines@fldoe.org
December 2005
Increasing the Quantity and Improving the Quality of Educational Options
__________________________________ ___________________________________
__________________________________
___________________________________
__________________________________ ___________________________________
_________________________________ ___________________________________
_________________________________
___________________________________
Charter School Class Size Reduction Plan
2005-2006
School Name:
District:
School Address:
Charter School Director:
Telephone Number:
Email Address:
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1.
Is the charter school currently in compliance with class size reduction requirements
as measured by October 2005 Survey 2 data?
2. If the school is not in compliance, what actions will be taken and adjustments to
current classes made that will enable the school to come into compliance for the
2006-2007 school year?
3.
How did the school use the CSR funds in School Year 2004-2005 to achieve goals for
meeting class size reduction requirements?
Were the funds used to assist the
school in coming into compliance?
4. How many new teaching positions were added in School Year 2004-2005 with CSR
funds for reducing class size? How was the remainder of the CSR funds used?
5.
How is the school using CSR funds in the 2005-2006 school year? Are the funds
being used to assist the school in coming into compliance?
Charter School Administrator or Board Chairman signature is required. The district signature is to ensure the district is
informed of the charter school plan and does not indicate approval.
Charter School Administrator
District Superintendent or Designee
Title
Title
Telephone
Telephone
Email
Email
Date
Date
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Please email completed form to karen.hines@fldoe.org no later than January 31, 2006.
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