R277-472-3. Class Size Calculations

  A. Elementary class size: Each school district (or school as determined by the school district) shall calculate an average class size for each grade level. Schools shall derive this calculation from the total number of students in a given grade divided by the number of full time licensed teachers assigned to that grade.

  (1) Schools shall not count students assigned to multiple grade level classes (and their respectively assigned teachers) in determining average class size for a grade level.

  (2) Schools shall calculate elementary classes that group students in programs other than by grade level, such as gifted and talented or English Learner programs, as a class if students participate for the entire instructional day.

  (a) If schools count students that participate in special programs for part of the school day, schools shall count the students as part of their age-appropriate grade level (together with respective teachers) for purposes of this calculation.

  (b) If multiple classes of special programs exist (including self-contained special education classes), a school shall determine an average class size for special programs consistent with state, federal and program standards.

  B. Elementary school size: Each school district (or school) shall calculate a school-wide average class size by dividing the total full time teachers assigned to direct teaching situations by the total number of students receiving instruction.

  (1) Schools shall not include self-contained special education students and teachers in this calculation.

  (2) Schools shall include all other special education students and teachers.

  C. Secondary average class size: Each school district (or secondary school as determined by the district) shall calculate an average class size for each language arts, mathematics and science course that is taught multiple times during a typical school day by dividing the total number of full time teachers assigned to direct teaching situations by the total number of students enrolled.

  (1) Schools shall not include self-contained special education students and teachers in this calculation.

  (2) Schools shall include all special education students, other than full-time self-contained students, in the calculation.

  D. District average: Each school district shall calculate the district-wide average class size for each grade level, each elementary program that enrolls students across grade levels and for each language arts, mathematics, and science course.

  (1) School districts shall derive the calculation by dividing the total number of full time teachers (FTEs) assigned to direct teaching situations by the total number of fully enrolled students.

  (2) School districts shall derive all calculations using October 1 enrollment and employment data.

  E. In a school district with only one elementary or secondary school, or only one class of any subject or grade level, school districts may calculate the average class size for an entire school or the entire school district by averaging all the classes in the school or the school district. The school district may then determine that any class size less than the school district or school average class size is below capacity.