Jacob Brown
The president of New York City’s teachers union is urging the Department of Education to expedite the implementation of the state’s class size law, which aims to reduce the number of students per classroom.
Although the law was recently enacted, the union argues that class sizes remain too large and that action is needed urgently.
Class Size Requirements:
The state’s class size law sets specific limits for the number of students per classroom across different grade levels:
- Kindergarten to third grade: 20 or fewer students
- Fourth to eighth grade: 23 or fewer students
- High school (ninth to twelfth grade): 25 or fewer students
Immediate Implementation Demanded:
The United Federation of Teachers (UFT) asserts that there is sufficient space in over 850 high-need public schools to implement the class size reductions by September, the start of the next academic year. UFT President Michael Mulgrew emphasizes the need for swift action, citing decades of disparity in class sizes compared to the rest of the state.
Department of Education Response:
The Department of Education (DOE) acknowledges the union’s concerns but highlights challenges, including pre-K and 3-K classes in some buildings. While the DOE met the initial requirement of 20% of classes meeting the mandate, it aims to reach 40% compliance next year with new policies.
Funding and Hiring Needs:
Mulgrew underscores the importance of funding individual schools to comply with the class size law. The union estimates hiring around 3,000 additional teachers would be necessary for their plan. While the DOE hires thousands of teachers annually, they mainly replace those who leave the system.
Parental Perspectives:
Parents support the class size law, emphasizing its potential benefits for their children’s education. Concerns about the challenges of large class sizes, especially for non-English-speaking students, underscore the urgency of implementing the law.
