Bill Text: MS HB1123 | 2013 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Class size; require local school boards to adopt policy reducing at various grade levels.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2013-02-05 - Died In Committee [HB1123 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2013-HB1123-Introduced.html

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MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2013 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Dixon

House Bill 1123

AN ACT TO REQUIRE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO IMPLEMENT A POLICY REDUCING CLASS SIZES; TO REQUIRE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO ADHERE TO STATUTORY GUIDELINES IN THE ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES TO REDUCE CLASS SIZE THAT WOULD ALLOW SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO REMAIN QUALIFIED FOR MAEP FUNDS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1.  The local school board of a public school district shall adopt and implement a policy reducing classroom size in order to enable each student to acquire the appropriate level of instruction and adequate grade level attainment.  The board shall limit the size of classes in the public schools of the district to provide the following:

          (a)  Elementary schools, consisting of Grades K through 3, shall not have classes exceeding sixteen (16) students per classroom in which a teacher is not provided with a teacher assistant, and eighteen (18) students per classroom in which a teacher is provided with a teacher assistant; 

          (b)  Middle schools, consisting of Grades 4 through 8, shall not have classes exceeding twenty-two (22) students per classroom;

          (c)  High schools, consisting of Grades 9 through 12, shall not have classes exceeding twenty-five (25) students per classroom; and

          (d)  The local school board shall adhere to the guidelines established in Section 37-151-77 when adopting and implementing its policy to reduce class size so that no class exceeds the maximum number of students allowable under that section, so as to allow the school district to remain qualified for adequate education program funding.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2013.