1 Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission \

2 Is this possible? Welcome to Sunshine Elementary School. We are not currently accepting new students due to meeting Class Size limitations. No Vacancy – Have met Class Size Amendment

3 Is this possible to have a class without a teacher?

4 Today’s Objectives Provide an update on progressProvide an update on progress Review specific near-term plansReview specific near-term plans Discuss challenges in implementationDiscuss challenges in implementation Outline policy optionsOutline policy options Answer any questionsAnswer any questions

5 Authority:s ,F.S. Class Size ReductionAllocation $2,708,412,008 The Legislature provided $2,708,412,008 to implement the class size reduction requirements of Florida Statutes. Funds will be distributed to school districts that have provided sufficient information for the Commissioner of Education to set annual district class size reduction goals. Class Size Reduction

6 Constitutional Class Size Maximums are: GRADES SIZE PK-3 = 18 per classroom 4-8 = 22 per classroom 9-12 = 25 per classroom Authority:s , F.S. F.S. Class Size ReductionAllocation

7 Class Size Reduction Practical Implementation of the hard cap maximum would mean teachers are allocated at: GRADES SIZE PK-3 = 16 per classroom 4-8 = 20 per classroom 9-12 = 22 per classroom Authority:s , F.S. F.S. Class Size ReductionAllocation

8 Class Size Reduction For the FY through FY, compliance is measured at the district-level class size average. (This was workable) For the FY through FY, compliance is measured at the school-level class size average. (This was hard but workable) For the FY, FY, and thereafter, compliance is measured at the individual classroom level. (This may not be workable) Authority:s , F.S. F.S. Class Size ReductionAllocation

9 Trends in Class Size Reduction Data based upon preliminary run of 11/03/06

10 Number of Potential Teachers Using 75% of Class Size Allocation Net Traditional Schools 109,844126,38216,538 23,918 = Number of Potential Teachers using 75% of Class Size Allocation 7,380 = Difference

11 Core Classroom Teachers Needed to Comply by Grade in Traditional Schools Charter Schools Total 8, ,259

12 State of Florida Challenge: Many districts are experiencing flat growth in the Local Tax Base

13 State of Florida Challenge: Limited and Declining Revenues at the State Level

14 Plan Measure Execute Report The State of Florida Strategy Continuous Improvement

15 Policy Changes Must Balance Issues 1)Remove the hard caps on every class. 2)Propose a class size strategy that is affordable, workable, and electable. 3)District wide averages with some individual class size restriction may be one. 4)If successful already allocated revenue could be made available for other purposes. 5)Large annual increases to meet hard caps will not be needed.

16 Thank You