Class sizes continue to grow amid shrinking school year

02-08-2011

By Louis Freedberg/California Watch

Underscoring the deepening impact of the state's budget crisis, nearly 60 percent of California school districts have reduced the length of the school year, and 30 percent have shrunk it to 175 days, the minimum permitted under state law. By comparison, last year only 5 percent of districts had reduced their school year to 175 days, according to a report issued yesterday by the Legislative Analyst's Office. The report found that the average class size in kindergarten through third grade has risen to 25 students, compared to 20 just two years ago. Average class sizes in higher grades have grown from about 28 students to 31. The report recommends that Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature move immediately to reform the state's $50 billion school finance system, currently based on what it calls "antiquated funding formulas that over time have become increasingly disconnected from local needs." (more...)

Also: Sacramento Bee

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