This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to establish maximum teacher-pupil ratios in classrooms for grades kindergarten through six, ensuring that each classroom has a manageable number of students to facilitate effective teaching and the utilization of aides. Specifically, it sets limits on the number of pupils per teacher, with provisions for early childhood classroom assistants in certain grades, and allows for the employment of full-time or part-time interventionists to meet these requirements. The bill also includes stipulations for exceptions to these ratios under extraordinary circumstances, as determined by the state superintendent.

A significant addition to the bill is the new provision that mandates splitting classrooms into two separate classrooms when the size of a classroom negatively impacts the time teachers can spend with students individually. This split is intended to create a better teacher-pupil ratio and ensure that all students receive adequate one-on-one attention from teachers and aides. The implementation of this split is set to begin in the 2025-2026 school year, further emphasizing the bill's focus on maximizing educational support and resources for students.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-5-18a
Engrossed Version: 18-5-18a