Existing law prescribes the maximum ratio of pupils per teacher in classes where core curriculum is taught in kindergarten and grades 1, 2 and 3. Existing law requires any school district that includes one or more elementary schools which exceed those maximum ratios or certain other maximum pupil-teacher ratios approved by the Legislature to request a variance from the State Board of Education for the next quarter of the school year. Existing law requires each school district to submit to the State Board a plan to reduce teacher-pupil ratios within the district. (NRS 388.700) Existing law requires the State Board to establish by regulation maximum pupil-teacher ratios for each grade other than kindergarten and grades 1, 2 and 3. (NRS 387.1234) Sections 3-5 and 6-9 of this bill make provisions relating to pupil-teacher ratios additionally applicable to charter schools and university schools for profoundly gifted pupils. Section 5 of this bill makes requirements governing maximum pupil-teacher ratios apply to each campus of a school that operates at different campuses. Section 5 additionally prescribes the maximum ratios of pupils per licensed teacher in English language arts and mathematics of: (1) 25 to 1 in grades 4, 5 and 6; and (2) 30 to 1 in grades 7-12. Section 5.5 of this bill expands such maximum ratios of pupils per licensed teacher to include science and social science teachers. Section 5 also prescribes the maximum ratio of pupils per school counselor in a school or campus to 250 to 1 and requires a school district to request a variance to exceed such a ratio. Section 5 reduces from quarterly to annually the frequency with which a school district, charter school or university school for profoundly gifted pupils is required to request a variance. Section 5 additionally requires a school district, charter school or university school for profoundly gifted pupils that is granted a variance to submit a report on or before April 15 explaining the changes in the ratio of pupils per licensed teacher or pupils per school counselor that occurred throughout the school year. Sections 5 and 9 of this bill revise various reporting requirements concerning pupil-teacher ratios and pupil-school counselor ratios and requests for a variance from provisions establishing maximum pupil-teacher ratios and pupil-school counselor ratios. Existing law requires: (1) each board of trustees of a school district or sponsor of a charter school to prepare an annual report of accountability for the schools within the district or the charter schools sponsored by the sponsor, as applicable; and (2) the State Board of Education to prepare an annual report of accountability for the public schools in this State. (NRS 385A.070, 385A.400) Sections 1 and 2 of this bill require such reports to include certain information related to requests for variances from requirements governing pupil-teacher ratios and pupil-school counselor ratios. Existing law requires each school district to submit to the State Board a plan to reduce the district's pupil-teacher ratio. (NRS 388.720) Section 7 of this bill revises this requirement to apply to each school district, charter school or university school for profoundly gifted pupils that operates one or more schools or campuses for which the pupil-teacher ratio exceeds a maximum pupil-teacher ratio prescribed by section 5 and requires a similar plan be submitted if the pupil-school counselor ratio exceeds the maximum pupil-school counselor ratio prescribed in section 5. Existing law requires the Department of Education to develop certain policies, procedures and guidance concerning the reduction of class sizes and compliance with prescribed pupil-teacher ratios. (NRS 388.723) Section 8 of this bill requires such guidance to include guidance concerning the use of money over which school districts, charter schools and university schools for profoundly gifted pupils have discretion for the purpose of reducing pupil-teacher ratios and pupil-school counselor ratios. Section 8 also eliminates requirements that the Department: (1) develop policies and procedures for the distribution of money to each school district for the reduction of pupil-teacher ratios; and (2) communicate with the board of trustees of each school district regarding the expectations of the Department for the use of such money. Existing law requires the State Board to develop nonbinding recommendations for the ratio of pupils per teacher and specialized instructional support personnel in public schools in this State. (NRS 388.890) Section 9.2 of this bill requires the State Board to prescribe a suggested ratio of pupils per school counselor in the nonbinding recommendations that does not exceed the ratio set forth in section 5. Existing law requires the board of trustees of a school district in a county whose population is 100,000 or more (currently Clark and Washoe Counties) to develop a plan to improve the ratio of pupils to specialized instructional support personnel to meet the ratio recommended by the State Board and submit a report to the Department on the implementation of the plan. (NRS 388.892) Section 9.5 of this bill requires the board of trustees of each school district to develop such a plan and submit such a report.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 385A.210, 385A.420, 387.1234, 387.304, 388.700, 388.710, 388.720, 388.723, 388.725, 388G.120
Reprint 1: 385A.210, 385A.420, 387.1234, 387.304, 388.700, 388.710, 388.720, 388.723, 388.725, 388.890, 388.892
BDR: 385A.210, 385A.420, 387.1234, 387.304, 388.700, 388.710, 388.720, 388.723, 388.725, 388G.120