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Policy IHB
The South Portland Board of Education recognizes that there is a relationship between class size and student achievement and that this relationship varies greatly across grade levels, among subjects and by methods of instruction. Therefore, the recommended class size in the elementary and secondary schools shall be determined by several variables including grade level, subject area, nature of the students in the classroom, nature of the learning objectives, availability of classroom space, instructional methods and procedures used, and budgetary constraints.
Keeping all of these variables in mind, the following class size ranges shall serve as a general guideline for the organization of classes in the elementary and secondary schools:
Class Guideline
Kindergarten through grade 2: 15-20 students
Grades 3-5: 15-24 students
Grades 6-8: 15-25 students
Grades 9-12: 15-26 students
Special class size circumstances, including, but not limited to:
Classrooms falling under OSHA guidelines, such as Applied Arts;
Number of available lab stations;
Instrumental and choral music classes;
Exceptionality courses.
When any elementary or secondary school class fails to meet or exceeds the recommended class size range, the Building Administrator shall notify the Superintendent of Schools. The Superintendent, in consultation with the Building Administrator, shall consider options to resolve the issue. Options may include, but are not limited to:
Maintaining class size
Assigning additional staff
Transferring some or all students to a different class or school, or
Canceling the course
The Superintendent's decision will be communicated to the Board of Education with the understanding that Board approval will be required to hire any additional staff.
Revised: February 9, 1987
Revised: March 11, 1996
Revised: July 8, 2002
Revised: February 23, 2005 (Code Change)
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