This bill proposes significant updates to current statutes regarding class sizes in public schools in Arizona. It mandates that by the 2031-2032 school year, each public school governing board must adopt a policy that sets specific average and maximum class sizes for various grade levels and career technical education programs. The new class size limits are as follows: for grades K-3, an average of 18 and a maximum of 21; for grades 4-8, an average of 22 and a maximum of 27; for grades 9-12, an average of 25 and a maximum of 30; and for career technical education, an average of 20 and a maximum of 25. The bill also outlines conditions under which schools can exceed these limits, such as seeking waivers or in specific subject areas, and prohibits the establishment of split-grade classes to circumvent these requirements.

Additionally, the bill appropriates substantial funding to the classroom site fund, including $1 billion annually starting in fiscal year 2030-2031, with incremental increases in prior years. It modifies existing provisions related to the allocation of these funds, ensuring they are used for instructional purposes and not for athletics. The bill also clarifies the definitions of assessment interventions and emphasizes that the average class size must be based on regular classroom teaching positions, excluding specialized roles. Overall, the proposed changes aim to enhance educational quality by reducing class sizes and ensuring adequate funding for public schools.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-120.08, 15-977, 2031-2032, 4-8, 9-12