Agency: MSP - Basic School Program

Line Item: Class Size Reduction

Function

The Legislature began appropriating funding for class size reduction in 1994 with an original appropriation of $4,389,500. Over the past 13 years, the annual allocation for class size reduction program has increased to more than $88.3 million in FY 2009. Funding is targeted for class size reduction efforts in Kindergarten through the 8th grade.

Funding Detail

Program: Class Size Reduction

Function

The Class Size Reduction formula distributes revenue on a WPU basis to school districts and charter schools based on their prior year K-8 ADM plus student growth in grades K-8.

Formula Restrictions - School districts and charter schools must use 50 percent of their allocation on reducing class size in grades K-2. If the average K-2 class size for the district or charter school falls below 18, the school district or charter school 'can seek State Board of Education for approval to use these funds for class size reduction in grades 3-8' (USOE Finance & Statistics, MSP Descriptions, November 2006).

Up to 20 percent of class size reduction funds may support capital facility projects that help reduce class size. School districts and charter schools with increasing enrollment may use a higher percentage of class size reduction funds on capital projects. School districts and charter schools that experience student enrollment increases of '5% or 700 students in enrollment from the previous year may use up to 50% of the allocation for classroom construction' (USOE Finance & Statistics, MSP Descriptions, November 2006).

Statutory Authority

The Class Size Reduction Program is governed by the following statute.

• UCA 53A-17a-124.5 - defines the funding formula and formula restrictions for the program and provides for an annual adjustment in the level of funding allocated to support the program.

Funding Detail

In FY 2008, the Legislature allocated 32,749 WPUs to support Class Size Reduction efforts, for a total of $82.3 million. In FY 2009, the total WPU allocation increased to 34,293 for a total of nearly $88.4 million in funding.