The following standards for class size have been established by the Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education (DESE). These standards will be adhered to in respect to grade level and
course subject with the exception of only the most unusual circumstances. The Assistant
Superintendent of Human Resources has the authority to make adjustments in class size at the
beginning of each semester.
The District's goal is to maintain classes in accordance with Missouri School Improvement Program
(MSIP) standards as follows:
Primary Grades, K-2
20-25 students
* May be lowered to 15 if the class make up consists of exceptional children. One (1) teacher
assistant will be hired per grade level for class sizes exceeding 25.5 for K-2.
Intermediate Grades, 3-4
22-27 students
* One (1) teacher assistant will be hired per grade level for class sizes exceeding 27.5 for 3-4
grade level.
Intermediate Grades, 5-6
25-30 students
* One (1) teacher assistant will be hired per grade level for class sizes exceeding 30.5 for 5-6
grade level.
Secondary Grades, 7-12
28-33 students
(Students in self-contained special education classes shall count towards the MSIP class size
standards if they are mainstreamed into a regular classroom for three [3] or more hours a day.)
Class size shall not exceed 33 students per core-content area class and every effort will be made to
see that a teacher's overall class load will not exceed 150 students (excluding non-instructional
and/or advisory type classes). The district will monitor class loads on a periodic basis to ensure
compliance with class size standards. If a teacher's class load exceeds 150 students, he/she should
address the concern with his/her immediate supervisor at the building level. If a satisfactory
resolution is not reached at the building level, the teacher may contact the Assistant Superintendent
for Human Resources to discuss the matter.
Class Size by Type of Course Offering
Advanced math, science, foreign language
25-33 students
High school beginning and advanced classes in the same subject may be combined (example:
Spanish I and Spanish II). Total enrollment in such classes shall not exceed 15 students.
High school advanced classes in the same subject may also be combined (example: Spanish III and
Spanish IV). Total enrollment in such classes shall not exceed 20 students.
The district goal for enrollment in special courses offered to meet student's graduation requirement
needs is 33.
Physical education classes
30-45 students
Family and Consumer Sciences – as determined by number of learning stations
20-24 students
Music (nonperforming) Music (performing)
25-33 students No Maximum
Special education and remedial courses
Class size as per DESE standards and requirements
Vocational-Technical
Not to exceed number of learning stations
Exceptions to the desirable class size may be made for the following courses:
Science – physics, Chemistry II and Biology II
Foreign language – two (2) years of French, Spanish and German
For classes not specifically listed in this policy, the standards established by the Missouri School
Improvement Plan (MSIP) will serve as the district's class size standard. If MSIP does not have an
applicable standard, the Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources will determine a reasonable
standard.
* * * * * * *
Note: The reader is encouraged to check the index located at the beginning of this section
for other pertinent policies and to review administrative procedures and/or forms for
related information.
|
Adopted: 09/11/1997
Revised: 07/09/1998; 05/13/2004; 05/14/2009
St. Charles School District, St. Charles, Missouri
Top of Page
|
