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 larger classes. The bill also allows county boards of education to employ full-time or part-time interventionists as an alternative to aides, while maintaining the requirement for a maximum number of classrooms with multiple grades.

A significant addition to the bill is the new provision that mandates splitting classrooms into two separate classrooms when they become too large, thereby enhancing the one-on-one time teachers can spend with students. This split must be executed in a manner that ensures equitable distribution of students and adequate aide coverage in both classrooms. The implementation of this split is set to begin in the 2025-2026 school year, aiming to improve the overall teacher-pupil ratio and individual attention for students.

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