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SICS-NYC > Early Grade Class Size Reduction
In the enacted budget, funding for EGCSR is not targeted
as a specific funding stream. Instead, previously allocated funding is included
as part of the LEAs operating aid. This program no longer requires an
application to be submitted.
Early Grade Class Size Reduction
What is the Early Grade Class Size Reduction Program?
Chapter 436 of the Laws of 1997 created the Early Grade
Class Size Reduction Program. This is a voluntary three-year phase-in program
designed to begin in school year 1999-2000 for eligible districts. Each year,
through school year 2001-2002, an increasing number of school districts will be
eligible to participate until all districts throughout New York State have
access to this program. For 1999-2000, 140 districts have been determined to be
eligible based on high concentration of extraordinary needs, low-combined wealth
ratio and large early grade class sizes. The projected grant allocation for
these districts is $75 million, representing 1,347 new classroom teachers.
What is the purpose of the program?
The purpose of the Early Grade
Class Size Reduction Program is to reduce class size in grades kindergarten,
one, two and three to an average of 20 students per class. The intent of this
effort is to improve student academic performance. An ever-increasing body of
research indicates the far reaching beneficial effects on student achievement
from reduced class size in the early primary grades.
Is the program mandatory for school districts?
No. Participation is voluntary on
the part of the school district.
How does a district determine which grade within a
building is to receive additional classrooms?
The State Education Department
recommends that districts place additional classes in the lowest grades in a
building in which the average class size is greater than 20. However, a district
may place additional classes in any eligible grade in which the average class
size is greater than 20.
What is an example of how a district might prioritize
schools by academic need and average class size?
A district might determine, for
example, that all schools in the district in which 1997-98 grade 3 reading
results were below 85 percent and grade 3 math results were below 95 percent
will have the highest priority for additional classes. The district would then
determine which of these schools has the highest average class size in grades
kindergarten through grade 3 and place the additional classes in that school.
Another methodology might be to create an index in which the percent of students
in a school performing above the grade 3 State Reference Point in reading and
math are combined and a rank order is created. Those schools with the lowest
rank would be considered in greatest academic need. Districts have considerable
flexibility in creating the methodology they wish to use to determine which
schools in the district will be considered to have the greatest academic need. |
