Assistance for local educational agencies (LEA) in reducing class size in kindergarten and grades 1-3.
Preface
This document contains information about the Class Size Reduction (CSR) program (Chapter 6.10 commencing with Education Code Section 52120) for Operations. The Class Size Reduction program provides incentive money to school districts and charter schools to operate specified reduced-size classes in grades K-3.
There are no changes in the K-3 CSR program for the 2007-08 school year. The funding rates are $1,071 per pupil for Option One and $535 per pupil for Option Two.
The California Department of Education will keep LEAs informed through the Web site [http://staging.cde.ca.gov/ls/cs/k3/index.asp]
The K-3 Class Size Reduction Program (Education Code sections 52120-52128.5)
Introduction
The Class Size Reduction program was established in 1996-97 to improve the educational program, especially in reading and mathematics, for children in grades K-3. Now in its eleventh year of implementation, $1.8 billion is appropriated to the Superintendent of Public Instruction for allocation to school districts to provide assistance in implementing a pupil-teacher ratio of 20:1 in up to four grade levels (K-3). The California Department of Education (CDE) administers the program. Applications must be postmarked to the CDE by November 26, 2007. Applications must be certified through a school district's (or charter school applying independently) local governing board. Faxes cannot be accepted.
Description of Operations
In school year 2007-08, funding for Option one classes is $1,071 per pupil. Funding for Option Two classes is $535 per pupil. All CSR classes are to begin at the start of the school year or the start of a new track for multitrack year-round education (MTYRE) schools. A new CSR class may be started at any time in the school year if the new class is required because of enrollment growth.
Grade level priorities for implementation remain the same, with reducing first grade classes as the top priority. Second grade classes are the second priority. Kindergarten and/or grade three classes may then be reduced. Because there is no maintenance of effort requirement, districts and schools have the flexibility, within the given priorities, to implement CSR at the appropriate grade levels without regard to the grade levels implemented in prior years.
CDE will continue to use the J-7CSR process to determine participation and calculate final apportionment payments. Pursuant to Education Code Section 52124.5, auditors must examine daily enrollment averages to ensure that each class does not exceed a 20.44 average. Currently, classes of 20.5 to 21.8 may receive a reduced amount of funding on a sliding scale as follows: classes of 20.45 to 20.94 receive 80% of the funding normally paid for a class of 20; classes of 20.95 to 21.44 receive 60% of the funding normally paid for a class of 20; and classes of 21.45 to 21.84 receive 20% of the funding normally paid for a class of 20. These "penalty reduction" payments are in effect through the 2008-09 school year.
Very small school districts (or charter schools applying independent of their sponsoring district) that meet the requirement of Education Code Section 52122(h) may have a few classes that average up to 22.4, provided the average for all CSR classes in the district doesn't exceed 20.4, and receive full funding for them. This flexibility for small districts is ongoing, and is not a part of the penalty reduction cited above.
During an audit, the enrollment (not attendance) or each selected class must average no more than 20.44 pupils based on a sample of fifteen days from the first day of instruction through April 15. If the sample results in an average of more than 20.44, the auditor must conduct a more in-depth review using one of two methods outlined in Education Code Section 52124.5(a)(2). However the school district, not the auditor, selects which of the in-depth methods will be sued.
School districts with computer-based attendance accounting/pupil information systems that are capable of generating reports may provide the report to the auditor in lieu of teacher class registers or other site-based documentation.
Each Option One class participating in CSR must be in a separate, self-contained classroom or provide the equivalent average square footage per pupil as was provided in those grade levels at that school site in the 1995-96 school year.
Facilities
The legislature did not appropriate funds for K-3 CSR facilities in 2007-08.
Class Size Reduction Program Overview and Timelines - Operations
Documents to Be Submitted
To receive operations funding under the K-3 Class Size Reduction program, a school district must annually submit two documents to the School Facilities Planning Division (SFPD)of CDE. Those documents are as follows:
| Document | Due Date |
|---|---|
| Application Intent to participate in the K-3 Class Size Reduction program, and estimated number of participating classes and pupils by grade level and option |
November 26, 2007 (postmarked) |
| Report of Enrollment (J-&CSR form) Actual daily enrollment in the Class Size Reduction program through April 15. |
May 2, 2008 (Received in SFPD) |
Mail documents to:
Shannon Farrell-Hart
School Facilities Planning Division
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 1201
Sacramento, CA 95814
The application [http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/cs/k3/formsinst.asp] can be accessed on the CDE Web site The J-7 CSR form will be posted later in the school year at the same internet address.
Key Elements of the Class Size Reduction Program - Operations
Education Code (EC) sections 52120-52128.5 and California Code of Regulations (CCR) , Title 5
| Key Elements | Code Section |
|---|---|
| Eligible grade levels are kindergarten through third grade only. Each school site may implement the program in one or more of those grade levels, according to the priorities of Education Code Section 52124(b). | EC 52122(a) and 52124(b) |
The LEA must prioritize implementation of the Class Size Reduction program at each school site:
|
EC 52124(b) CCR, Title 5 15131(a) CCR, Title 5 15131(b) |
Each class must have an average of no more than 20 pupils per one certificated teacher.
|
EC 52123(c) EC 52124(c) EC 52126(a)(b) EC 52123(f) EC 52122(h) |
Each class that will participate in the program is eligible to participate under either Option One or Option Two:
|
EC 52122(b) EC 52126(a)(b)(c)(d) EC 52122(b)(2)(A) EC 52122.6-52122.8 CCR, Title 5 15130 |
A school district that chooses to reduce class size via an early-late instructional program may count either the "early" or "late" instructional minutes - but not both - for purposes of the Incentive for Longer Instructional Day and year computation.
|
EC 46205 EC 52122(g) |
| Combination classes maintaining 20 pupils per one certificated teacher are permitted, but only K-3 pupils, as determined by a school's grade level implementation priorities, will be included in the funding determination. | EC 52124(c) |
Special day classes and classes operated by a county office of education are not eligible for funding.
|
EC 52121 EC 52123(b) EC 52121.5 CCR, Title 5 15132(a)(b) EC 52123(b) |
A staff development program is required for teachers who will provide direct instructional services for reduced-size classes. The training shall include, but not be limited to, methods for providing each of the following:
|
EC 52127 |
For 2007-08, the school district must:
|
EC 52122(d) |
The school district must certify certain specified requirements: Application
Report of Enrollment for Class Size Reduction Program (J-7CSR)
|
EC 52122(b) EC 52123 EC 52128 EC 52126(g)(3) |
| If a district fails to meet the requirement of an average of 20 pupils to one certificated teacher, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction shall deduct from the district's next principal apportionment the amount received for each class that fails to meet the 20-to-1 requirements. | EC 52124(d) |
| The advance apportionment to each school district shall be based on 25% of the district's participation in the program in the prior fiscal year multiplied by $1,071 per pupil for Option 1 classes and $535 per pupil for Option 2 classes. The provisional apportionment will be based on the district's application, but funding shall be adjusted to correct for overpayment or underpayment after the J-7CSR [Education Code Section 52124(d)] is received from the school district. The district may not retain funds for any class that did not meet all the requirements of the Class Size Reduction program. | EC 52126(f) CCR, Title 5 15133(a)(b) |
| The Controller shall include instructions in the audit guide required by subdivision (a) of Section 14502 appropriate to the enforcement of subdivision (d) of Section 52124. These instructions shall include procedures to determine if the annual (daily) average class enrollment exceeds 20.44 pupils for participating classes. | EC 52124.5(a) |
Steps for School Districts and Charter Schools to Participate - Operations
This is a list of the steps school districts and charter schools should take to participate in the K-3 Class Size Reduction program:
- Identify the actual classes to be reduced.
- Obtain approval from the district school board or charter school governing body, as appropriate, to apply and participate in the program. (Note: charter schools that are direct-funded must apply independent of the sponsoring school district. Charter schools that are locally funded may apply independent of the sponsoring school district or may request that they be included in the school district's application. Locally funded charter schools should not assume that the sponsoring district has included the charter school in its CSR application.)
- Complete and submit the enclosed Application for Class Size Reduction program funding to the School Facilities Planning Division, CDE, so that it is postmarked by November 26, 2007 [Education Code Section 52122(d)].
- Document your class sizes. Begin keeping track of Option One and Option Two enrollment information. Software programs are available to track average daily enrollment. Districts must report, through the J-7CSR, enrollment averages to the CDE. The annual audit to ensure that each class averages no more than 20.44 is based on average daily enrollment.
- Complete and submit a Report of Enrollment for Class Size Reduction (J-7CSR) by May 2, 2008. Using a daily average, this form will certify class enrollments by grade level for Option One and Option Two from the first day of instruction through april 15. (Please note that the law requires the count to be conducted through April 15 itself, not through the "P-2" reporting period.)
Following receipt of J-7CSR information, the CDE will revise, if necessary, the entitlements based upon the actual, average enrollment for each class. In the event of an "overpayment," the State Controller will be asked to adjust the next monthly payment for the Principal or Special Purpose Apportionment in order to recover the funds. If the district is owed additional class size reduction funds, a separate apportionment will be processed in late June or July. - Apply/reapply for the following school year. An application to participate in the K-3 Class Size Reduction program must be submitted each year. the statutory deadline for submission is 90 days after the annual Budget Act has been signed.
Glossary
CBEDS - California Basic Educational Data System. this is an annual collection of county, district, school, and professional staff data. Data collected are primarily demographic and include enrollment at the school level.
Class - California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 15103 - for the purposes of administering the provisions of this chapter and the provisions of Education Code sections 41376 and 41378, the following definitions apply:
- Class means a group of pupils scheduled to report regularly at a particular time to a particular teacher as opposed to a grade that is a broader segment of the school organization.
- Where the type of teaching in kindergarten and grades 1, 2, and 3 is other than in self-contained classes, the class is the basic homeroom where all of the following applies for a child:
- Attendance is recorded and investigation of absences is instigated.
- The child has his/her desk, locker, or drawer.
- The teacher handles the administrative routines such as keeping cumulative records, collecting basic data about the child, distributing items to go home, collecting lunch money, and distributing and collecting report cards.
- The teacher is the usual contact with the child's parents
- Some planned instruction is given.
- Where the type of teaching in kindergarten and grades 1, 2, and 3 is other than in self-contained classes, the class is the basic homeroom where all of the following applies for a child:
Class Size - The size of each class participating in the CSR program cannot exceed an average of 20.44 pupils per certificated teacher. class size is computed by summing the daily enrollment in an individual class (instructional days only) from the first day of instruction through April 15, then dividing the total by the number of days in the count. Enrollment in a class can exceed 20 on one or more days, as long as the average doesn't exceed 20.44.
Instructional Time - California's compulsory attendance law requires that pupils "shall attend the public full-time day school or continuation school or classes and for the full time designated as the length of the schoolday by the governing board of the school district..." (Education Code Section 48200).
Education Code Section 46100 specifies, "The governing board of the school district shall, subject to the provisions of this chapter, fix the length of the school day for the several grades and classes of the schools maintained by the district."
In establishing a day pursuant to Section46100, school districts must observe server al separate statutory requirements. The most basic of these are the minimum days for different grade levels:
Basic Minimum Day Length
| Grade Level | Minutes |
|---|---|
| Kindergarten | 180 |
| 1-3 | 230 |
| 4-8 | 240 |
| 9-12 | 240 |
Small school districts may institute double-session kindergartens of shorter length, but will then accrue average daily attendance (a.d.a.) at only half the normal rate (Education Code Section 46119). For kindergarten, teachers may not otherwise be assigned to teach two sections of kindergarten in the same school day (Education Code Section 46118).
In addition, to qualify for basic revenue limit apportionments, a district must maintain its schools (other than those with year-round schedules) for at least 175 days each year (Education Code sections 41420, 37670).
The 1983 Educational Reform Act established 'Longer Day and Year' financial incentives for districts (Education Code sections 46200-46206). The Education Code sections relating to Longer Day and Year added incentives for extending the school day and year. Section 46205 allows for a specified early-late computation of instructional minutes per day for certain districts conducting an early-late instructional program.
Longer Day/Year and "Early-Late" Computation - When a district uses a so-called "early late instruction program" or "split schedule," in which half the pupils in particular grade levels come to school "early" for more individualized instruction and the other half stay "late," the district may be able to apply the total time in both sessions toward meeting the instructional time incentives, as long as other provisions are met. Education Code Section 46205 states:
"For purposes of this article, instructional time for school districts conducting early-late instructional programs in kindergarten and grades 1 to 8, inclusive, shall be computed by adding the total amount of instructional time provided in each portion of the early-late instructional programs to the amount of instructional time offered when all pupils in the class are scheduled to attend. It is not the intent of the Legislature to disrupt or restrict early-late instructional programs for pupils in kindergarten and grades 1 to 8, inclusive. This section shall be applicable only if the early-late instructional program was in operation during the 1983-84 fiscal year, except that the Superintendent of Public Instruction may approve, based on educational reasons, the application of this section to programs commencing operation after the 1983-84 fiscal year."
Education Code Section 52122(g) specifies that "any school district that chooses to reduce class size through the use of an early-late instructional program is ineligible to also use Section 46205, relating to the computation of instructional time for purposes of the Incentive for Longer Instructional Day and Year, in any grade level for which class size reduction funding is received pursuant to this chapter; provided, however, that any school district that operated under Section 46205 prior to July 1, 1996, may receive class size reduction funding pursuant to Option One in any grade level for which class size reduction funding would otherwise be received pursuant to Option One.
Option One/Option Two - Education Code Section 52122(b)(2) refers to two alternatives for implementing the Class Size Reduction program:
"(A)(i) Option One: A school district shall provide a reduced class size for all pupils in each classroom for the full regular school day in each grade level for which funding is claimed. For the purposes of this chapter, "full regular school day" means a substantial majority of the instructional minutes per day, but shall permit limited periods of time during which pupils are brought together for a particular phase of education in groups that are larger than 20 pupils per certificated teacher. It is the intent of the Legislature that those limited periods of time be kept to a minimum and that instruction in reading and mathematics not be delivered during those periods of time. For the purposes of this subparagraph, "class" shall be defined in the same manner as provided in the regulations adopted by the Superintendent of Public Instruction prior to July 1, 1996, pursuant to Section 41376 and 41378 (subdivision (a) of Section 15103 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations)."
"(B)(i) Option Two: A school district shall provide a reduced class size for all pupils in each classroom for at least one-half of the instructional minutes offered per day in each grade level for which funding is claimed. School districts selecting this option shall primarily devote those instructional minutes to the subject areas of reading and mathematics. For the purposes of this subparagraph, "Class" shall be defined in the same manner as provided in the regulations adopted by the Superintendent of Public Instruction prior to July 1, 1996, pursuant to section 41376 and 41378 (subdivision (a) of Section 15103 of Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations)."
Priority Grade Level(s) - Education Code Section 52124(b) specifies grade level prioritization under the Class Size Reduction program:
"A school district may establish a program to reduce class size in kindergarten and grades 1 to 3, inclusive, and that program shall be implemented at each school site according to the following priorities:
- If only one grade level is reduced at a school site, the grade level shall be grade 1.
- If only two grade levels are reduced at a school site, the grades levels shall be grades 1 and 2.
- If three grade levels are reduced at a school site, then those grade levels shall be kindergarten and grades 1 and 2 or grades 1 to 3, inclusive. Priority shall be given to the reduction of class sizes in grades 1 and 2 before the class sizes of kindergarten or grade 3 are reduced.
- If four grade levels are reduced at a school site, then those grade levels shall be kindergarten and grades 1 to 3 inclusive. First priority shall be given to the reduction of class sizes in grades 1 and 2, second priority shall be given to the reduction of class size in kindergarten and grade 3."
