Class size

              INTERIM STUDY REPORT
Common Education Committee
Rep. Ann Coody, Chairman
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Interim Study 12-056, Rep. Coody (combined with 12-014, Rep. Coody)
October 16, 2012
Class size
Barry Beauchamp
Lawton Public School District, superintendent
bbeauchamp@lawtonps.org
o Most states have some kind of class size limitation but how it is enforced varies.
o Oklahoma law allows secondary teachers to have 140 students per day.
o Most agree that smaller class size the better chance a teacher has to influence students. A
quality teacher is always going to be the greatest asset.
o Class size is waived if a school is at 85 percent of its bonding capacity. Bonding capacity is 10
percent of the assessed valuation of the district. However, bond funds are not usually spent on
instruction. Why not give a waiver for performance?
o Some states allow school districts to average class sizes. For example, if a district has an average
class size of 20 students, the district will not be penalized. In another state, if a district met class
size requirements, it received a financial incentive. Other states had incentives for performance.
o Oklahoma’s system is not bad but can be expensive because of the need to hire teachers’
assistants. He is not a proponent of teachers’ assistants. Instead it is better to create another
section.
o When a school district is declining in revenue and size, it can be in real trouble.
o Some districts have trouble passing bond issues but can pass sales taxes, like Lawton.
o There is a misconception that technology will replace the teacher. It becomes a tool. It provides
information that can be kept relevant and updated quicker.
o However, technology is expensive and difficult to sustain because of advances.
o Now teachers use technology and books to build a compilation of the best information.
o In Alabama there is an effort to provide iPads for all secondary students with a statewide bond
issue but it is unclear what revenue source the state will use to pay the bonds.
o Is it possible for the state to partner with communities to incentivize communities to pass bond
issues or sales taxes for technology.
Joel Robison
Oklahoma State Department of Education, chief of staff
Joel.robison@sde.ok.gov
o Class size waivers were tied to bond issues to allow districts that don’t have capacity for smaller
classes to avoid penalties while building.