Class Size, Capacity and Planning Factors: Additional Information Joint FAC & BAC Meeting Arlington Public Schools January 7, 2010

Class Size Terms Planning Factors (PF) Approved formulas in which staffing, materials, and supplies are allocated to schools. Recommended Maximum Class Size (RM) An approved recommended number that a class size should be within and not greater than. Capacity Planning Factor (CPF) A constant that is multiplied times the number of K-5 classrooms in a building to determine K-5 capacity (currently: students) Increase Class Size by One Based on Planning Factors Increase recommended max by one at each grade level; may or may not change number of students in an individual class depending on grade, school, school year

FY 2010 Elementary Planning Factors FORMULA AB # of students divided by planning factor # of students divided by recommended maximum class size Grade 1# of students divided by 19# of students divided by 23 Grade 2# of students divided by 21# of students divided by 25 Grade 3# of students divided by 21# of students divided by 25 Grade 4# of students divided by 23# of students divided by 27 Grade 5# of students divided by 23# of students divided by 27

Elementary Class Sizes – Grades 1-5 – By School

APS 1 st Grade APS 3 rd Grade APS 2 nd Grade APS 4 th Grade APS 5 th Grade APS K State maximum - KState maximum – 1-3 State maximum – 4-5 Current Planning Factors compared to State Maximums

Illustrative Example: Impact of Increasing Class Size by One (Planning Factor & Recommended Maximum) CURRENTINCREASE BY ONEDIFFERENCE Kindergarten Teacher Teachers 1-5 Kindergarten Teacher Teachers 1-5 Kindergarten Teacher Teachers 1-5 CASE (1.00) CASE (1.00) (2.00) CASE

Illustrative Example: Impact of Class Size Increase by One on Staffing Reduction of 20 elem classes

Impact of Class Size +1 on Current Year Classrooms

Illustrative Example: Impact of Class Size Increase by Two on Staffing Reduction of 33 elem classes

Illustrative Example: Impact of Class Size Increase by One on Staffing Reduction of 19 elem classes

Capacity Numbers: MGT & APS Differences in capacity numbers due to four reasons: 1.Variation in formula (same number of rooms) 2.Current use vs. potential use 3.Clarity of detail due to 30,000 foot view from MGT 4.Adjustments to room uses not yet captured by APS (last capacity update Aug 09)

APS 1 st Grade APS 3 rd Grade APS 2 nd Grade APS 4 th Grade APS 5 th Grade APS K Capacity Planning Factor per K-5 Classroom State maximum - KState maximum – 1-3 State maximum – 4-5 Staff Planning Factors and Capacity Planning Factor

Capacity Numbers: MGT & APS Variation in formula – Elementary Schools Type of Classroom Number of Classes Capacity/ Planning Factor Total Kindergarten First Grade Second Grade Third Grade Fourth Grade Fifth Grade PreK Special Ed 2816 VPI 116 Montessori 122 TOTAL Type of Classroom Number of Classes Capacity/ Planning Factor Total Graded (K-5) PreK Special Ed 2816 VPI 116 Montessori 122 TOTAL MGT ModelAPS Model Same school shows difference of 21 students. APS model has advantage for long-term planning.

Enrollment Projections: MGT & APS Projection YearAPSMGTdifference

Enrollment Projections: MGT & APS Differences in projection numbers due to variation in methodologies APS selects a single methodology MGT uses a combination methodology APS staff and MGT are confident in APS’ methodology Historically accurate within 2% systemwide Updated twice yearly

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