S.B. 31

1

CLASSROOM SIZE AMENDMENTS
2 2012 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Karen W. Morgan
5 House Sponsor: Rebecca P. Edwards
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill imposes a maximum class size for kindergarten through grade 3.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 . limits the number of students who may be assigned to a teacher who teaches a core
13 curriculum course in kindergarten through grade 3, unless a paraprofessional is
14 assigned to the teacher's class for the duration of the core curriculum course; and
15 . establishes qualifications for a paraprofessional assigned to a class that exceeds the
16 maximum class size requirement.
17 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18 None
19 Other Special Clauses:
20 This bill takes effect on July 1, 2012.
21 Utah Code Sections Affected:
22 ENACTS:
23 53A-15-106, Utah Code Annotated 1953
24
25 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26 Section 1. Section 53A-15-106 is enacted to read:
27 53A-15-106. Maximum class size in kindergarten through grade 3 -- Exception --

28 Qualifications of a paraprofessional assigned to a class that exceeds the maximum class
29 size.
30 (1) As used in this section:
31 (a) "Core curriculum course" means a language arts, mathematics, science, or social
32 studies course.
33 (b) "Direct supervision of a licensed teacher" means the teacher:
34 (i) prepares the lesson and plans the instructional support activities the paraprofessional
35 carries out; and
36 (ii) evaluates the achievement of the students with whom the paraprofessional works.
37 (c) "Paraprofessional" means an individual who:
38 (i) works under the direct supervision of a licensed teacher; and
39 (ii) meets the qualifications established in Subsection (4).
40 (2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), the maximum number of students assigned to
41 a teacher who is teaching a core curriculum course may not exceed:
42 (a) 18 students for a kindergarten class, beginning with the 2012-13 school year;
43 (b) 20 students for a first grade class, beginning with the 2013-14 school year;
44 (c) 22 students for a second grade class, beginning with the 2014-15 school year; and
45 (d) 24 students for a third grade class, beginning with the 2015-16 school year.
46 (3) The number of students assigned to a teacher who is teaching a core curriculum
47 course may exceed the maximum class size specified in Subsection (2) if a paraprofessional is
48 assigned to the class for the entire duration of the core curriculum course.
49 (4) A paraprofessional who is assigned to a class pursuant to Subsection (3) shall have:
50 (a) (i) earned a secondary school diploma or a recognized equivalent; and
51 (ii) (A) completed at least two years with a minimum of 48 semester hours at an
52 accredited higher education institution; or
53 (B) obtained an associates or higher degree from an accredited higher education
54 institution; or
55 (b) satisfied a rigorous state or local assessment about the individual's knowledge of,
56 and ability to assist in instructing students in, reading, writing, and mathematics.
57 Section 2. Effective date.
58 This bill takes effect on July 1, 2012.

Legislative Review Note
as of 10-27-11 9:06 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel