Georgia boosts class sizes

In response to tighter economic conditions, theGeorgia Board of Education has approved a plan to increase elementary and middle school class sizes throughout the state for the 2009-2010 academic year. The plan is expected to save the state $200 million in education costs. It will apply to core classes in elementary and middle schools, including math, English, social studies and science. The kindergarten cap will be 20 students; grades 1-3 will be 23, and grades 4-8 will be 30. The high school core cap will remain at 32.
To read The Albany Herald article, click here.

FROM OCTOBER 2008: In light of state budget cuts and more financially struggling school systems, Georgia is backing off its class-size mandate for the next two school years. In a letter to school superintendents this week, Gov. Sonny Perdue says he has requested that the State Board of Education grant all reasonable class-size waiver requests during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years. To read The Macon Telegraph article, click here.