IIB – Class Size

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The Board of Education is aware that class size has a bearing upon effective teaching, educational program quality and student achievement. It therefore directs the Superintendent to establish guidelines for class enrollment. The District has made a commitment to its public to establish class sizes of 23 or less in primary grades, while understanding that achieving these goals is dependent upon the financial condition of the school district and the resulting staffing ratio provided to schools. On occasion, when enrollment exceeds projection, classes over 23 students are allowed under this policy with additional support to reduce the student/teacher ratio during the core instructional time of reading and math. In the intermediate grades, middle schools and high schools, class sizes should be as low as practical while providing for the breadth and level of classes needed by students and the appropriate support services that are required in the school. In assisting administrative staff with quantitative standards used to prepare budget and assignment of personnel upon employment, as well as determining the size of various classes, the Board provides the following factors administration may consider when determining class size:
  1. The academic and curricular goals of the District.
  2. The type of class load that will help the teacher be most effective with the students in the class.
  3. The needs of programming in the academic core classes.
  4. The age and needs of students in the class.
  5. Required preparation and assessment time for the particular class.
  6. Physical makeup of the classroom and its equipment to insure the safety of the students and teacher.
  7. Anticipated enrollment growth during the year.
Staff assignments to schools by the Superintendent shall be based on an approved staffing plan which reflects the District's goals and, in addition, incorporates such additional factors as size of school, curriculum scope, age levels served and District-wide class size equalization. Every attempt should be made to ensure that student/teacher ratios shall be based on the above factors. In keeping with wishes of the community and in honoring its fiduciary commitments, the Board of Education's philosophy is that lower class sizes in the primary grades aid in student learning. Staffing plans and designs shall be submitted by all administrators responsible for educational programs. Student and community needs may be considered in the following plan and design criteria:
  1. A staffing plan shall be submitted in writing to the appropriate administrative officer.
  2. The school administrator before submitting such a plan and design shall consider recommendations made by individuals, departments, teams and/or the total certificated staff.
  3. The plan shall be based upon program needs and projected enrollment. The design shall delineate how the staffing pattern could change if there were significant variations of approved programs or enrollment at any time of the year.
  4. Plans and designs shall contain rationale which reflect the District goals.
  5. The design shall include limits which are reflections of program, facility, and responsibilities and recognized professional standards above which additions would be detrimental to learning.
  6. Differentiated staffing plans should continue to be developed which take into account the different roles and responsibilities of teachers and support staff in the building.
  7. The plan or design shall be approved or disapproved in writing and returned to the school administrator for subsequent dissemination to the entire school staff.
Legal References: C.R.S. 22-53-101, et. seq., (repealed)
Adoption Date: December 08, 2003
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