Class Size

At the beginning of the school year, there are a lot of questions regarding class size and para ratios. Attached are the BESE Bulletins pertaining to regular and special education classes.
If you feel that your ratios are off, please collect all the pertinent data and set up a meeting with either Red River United (318-424-4579 or redriverunited@redriverunited.org). Also,  keep in mind that class rosters are still settling out during the month of September and schools can ask for waivers.

Bulletin 741

  • 913. Class Size and Ratios
  1. The maximum enrollment in a class or section in grades K-3 shall be 26 students and in grades 4-12, 33 students, except in certain activity types of classes in which the teaching approach and the materials and equipment are appropriate for large groups.
  2. No teachers at the secondary level shall instruct more than 750 student hours per week, except those who teach the activity classes.
  3. When a number of staff members are involved in a cooperative teaching project, the amount of each person’s involved time may be counted in computing the individual teacher’s load.
  4. The maximum class size for health and physical education in grades K-8 and in physical education I and II shall be 40. No class may be combined with physical education I or II if the total number of students taught is more than 40.
  5. The system-wide, student classroom teacher ratio in grades K-3 shall be a maximum of 20 students to one classroom teacher.
  6. An LEA may request a waiver of this requirement from the state superintendent of education provided that the teacher has demonstrated effectiveness as defined by BESE in Bulletin 130—Regulations for the Evaluation and Assessment of School Personnel.

NOTE: Refer to Bulletin 1706―Regulations for Implementation of the Children with Exceptionalities Act for pupil/teacher ratios for special education.

Bulletin 1706

  • 2001. Pupil/Teacher, and Pupil Appraisal Ratios for Public Education
  1. In providing services to all identified exceptional students, the number of students in each instructional setting shall not exceed the following numbers.
Setting Preschool Elementary Secondary
Self-Contained 25 27
Resource Center 55 55
Resource

Departmentalized or

Self-Contained Departmentalized

 93 98
Instruction in Regular Class 25 27
Resource 30 30
Pre-school
          A.          Full Day 19
          B.          Half Day 23
Combination
  1. Pupil appraisal members shall be employed by LEAs at the following rate:
  2. public school ratios based on membership educational diagnosticians 1:2,400 or major fraction thereof;
  3. school psychologists 1:2,400 or major fraction thereof;
  4. social workers 1:3,200 or major function thereof;
  5. LEAs may substitute one pupil appraisal professional for another provided that all pupil appraisal services are provided in accordance with these regulations and the Pupil Appraisal Handbook.