SLS 10RS-5352 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2010
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 127
BY SENATOR ERDEY
BESE. Requests BESE to study and make recommendations relative to achieving a student
to classroom teacher ratio of not more than twenty to one in the elementary grades.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to study2
student to classroom teacher ratios in elementary grade classrooms across the state3
and to make recommendations relative to how a student to classroom teacher of not4
more than twenty to one can be achieved in each classroom in such grades.5
WHEREAS, current State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education regulations6
establish a maximum enrollment level in most classes of twenty-six students per class in7
grades Kindergarten through three and thirty-three students per class in grades four through8
twelve; and9
WHEREAS, current state board policy provides for a system-wide maximum student10
to classroom teacher ratio in grades kindergarten through three of twenty students to one11
classroom teacher, but has no such provision for the upper elementary grades and has no12
requirement at all to implement this ratio in all elementary grade classrooms; and13
WHEREAS, teachers with small classes are required to spend less time on classroom14
management issues and are thus able to provide each student more individualized attention;15
and16
WHEREAS, research indicates that reduced class sizes are associated with increased17
student achievement that is long lasting, especially when smaller class size standards are18 SCR NO. 127
SLS 10RS-5352 ORIGINAL
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implemented in the early grades and students are enrolled in small classes for successive1
years; and2
WHEREAS, a Princeton University study found that reducing class size in the early3
grades shrinks the achievement gap by approximately thirty-eight percent; and4
WHEREAS, the educational foundation laid in the early grades, especially in the5
areas of reading and mathematics, is essential to student performance throughout a child's6
academic career and thus influences success later in life.7
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby8
urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to study student9
to classroom teacher ratios in elementary grade classrooms across the state and to make10
recommendations relative to how a student to classroom teacher of not more than twenty to11
one can be achieved in each classroom in such grades.12
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary13
Education submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Senate14
Committee on Education and House Committee on Education not later than March 15, 2011.15
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the16
president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the state17
superintendent of education.18
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
Erdey SCR No.
Requests the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to study student to
classroom teacher ratios in elementary grade classrooms across the state and to make
recommendations relative to how a student to classroom teacher of not more than twenty to
one can be achieved in each classroom in such grades.
Requires BESE to submit a written report of findings and recommendations to the Senate
and House committees on education not later than March 15, 2011.