Reply to What is the maximum class size in an elementary school?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]There have been a few discussion on this topic before, including this one:  http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/45/187092.page

I responded in that thread as follows:

Actually, the max allowable depends on the age group -- 
so for 1st-3rd, it's 30 students 
for 4-6, it's 35 max.

I found this out by calling the county, because I was curious. Mind you, it took a while to get a straight answer. The person I spoke with told me they follow the state mandates as far as the maximum allowable student/teacher ratio. So here is the link and the applicable section. I've cut/pasted it below:

§ 22.1-253.13:2. Standard 2. Instructional, administrative, and support personnel. 
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/administrators/superin...endents_memos/2011/196-11a.pdf

C. Each school board shall assign licensed instructional personnel in a manner that produces divisionwide ratios of students in average daily membership to full-time equivalent teaching positions, excluding special education teachers, principals, assistant principals, counselors, and librarians, that are not greater than the following ratios: (i) 24 to one in kindergarten with no class being larger than 29 students; if the average daily membership in any kindergarten class exceeds 24 pupils, a full-time teacher's aide shall be assigned to the class; (ii) 24 to one in grades one, two, and three with no class being larger than 30 students; (iii) 25 to one in grades four through six with no class being larger than 35 students; and (iv) 24 to one in English classes in grades six through 12.

[b]Incidentally, subsequent to posting that response, I was told by a teacher that Fairfax follows different guidelines for AAP classrooms (smaller class sizes).[/b]  I can't site to any standards on that though.[/quote]

Not true at all. There was actually a proposal a few years ago to allow more kids in AAP classes than in general ed...not sure whatever happened with it, but at our school the AAP classes are larger than he general ed classes. The ridiculousness of it all is that the proportion of kids with ADHD and kids on the spectrum is larger in AAP, so larger class sizes make absolutely no sense. [/quote]

I guess you're right.  After reading your reply, I tried to find a quick answer on the county website and found this:
http://www.fcps.edu/is/aap/faqs/esfaqs.shtml, which states about 3/4 of the way down:

[i]What are the student-teacher ratios for students who receive Local Level IV Services and full-time AAP (level IV) center classes?

The staffing formula for Local Level IV Services and full-time AAP (level IV) centers is the same as for general education classes.
[/i][b][/quote]

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