Senate approves bill to limit kindergarten-grade 2 class sizes

STATE HOUSE – The Senate today approved legislation sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Hanna M. Gallo to set a limit of 20 students for kindergarten through Grade 2 classes in public schools. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives.

The Kindergarten Through Grade Two Maximum Class Size Act (2023-S 0177) would require that as of Oct. 1 of each school year, no more than 20 students may be assigned to each teacher who is teaching core-curricula courses in public school classrooms for kindergarten through Grade 2, except in emergency situations that would need to be resolved within three days. An exception could be made if a student enrolls after Oct. 1 and there is no practical, nondisruptive way to add him or her to a class without exceeding the limit.

“There are so many benefits to keeping class sizes from becoming too large in the early grades, and they are not limited to the years students are in those classes. Children who begin school in smaller classes have higher achievements throughout their academic careers, including higher graduation rates and better college entrance exam grades. Those students also have better attendance and even better health, motivation and self-esteem,” said Senator Gallo (D-Dist. 27, Cranston, West Warwick). “Children flourish when they get off to a strong start at school, and one of the most critical factors is being in a class that is small enough for the teacher to provide each student with the individual attention they need at that stage. Committing to small classes is committing to better education for all Rhode Island students, especially those who face learning challenges and disadvantages.”

Studies have demonstrated that students who are assigned to smaller classes in the early grades score higher on tests, receive better grades and exhibit improved attendance throughout their education.

“Investments in keeping early elementary classes small actually save money on special education and remedial services for students who do not acquire the literacy and numeracy skills they need to succeed in later grades. Just as caring well for seedlings creates strong, healthy plants, nurturing young students gives them the skills, self-confidence and drive to be strong learners for the rest of their lives. Small class sizes are truly a down payment on a stronger future for Rhode Island,” said Senator Gallo.

According to the nonprofit, nonpartisan organization Class Size Matters, children from poor and minority backgrounds experience twice the gains of the average student when taught in smaller classes in the early elementary grades, reducing the achievement gap by an estimated 38%.

Alan Krueger, who served as chairman of the Council on Economic Advisers for former President Barack Obama, has estimated that every dollar invested in reducing class size yields about $2 in benefits, and that’s not including savings from lower rates of grade retention or special education referrals, both of which fall when class sizes are lowered.

 

The Governor of Kentucky says it's a tragic day after nine soldiers died when two Army Black Hawk helicopters crashed on a training mission. It happened near Fort Campbell last night during a planned training mission and every soldier on-board the helicopters died. Army officials say the pilots were using night-vision equipment.        The White House is calling on Republicans to "show some courage" and pass an assault weapons ban. This comes after Monday's deadly school shooting in Nashville. GOP lawmakers have shown no interest in a ban, arguing the issue is more related to school security and mental health.        Officials are investigating a train derailment that forced residents in a small town in Minnesota to evacuate. The BNSF Railway says about 22 cars carrying "mixed freight" including ethanol and corn syrup derailed in the town of Raymond Thursday morning and several tanks caught fire. EMS personnel assisted with the evacuation, but no injuries were reported.        Weekly jobless claims are up. Government figures out today show claims rose by seven-thousand last week, landing at 198-thousand. That's a few thousand more than most analysts had expected.        A Chicago man is being exonerated after spending almost three decades behind bars for two 1994 murders. Forty-six-year-old David Wright was arrested when he was 17 in August 1994 for the killings of two friends. Wright's lawyers say his conviction was based on a false confession he signed after a long and abusive interrogation by three Chicago detectives.        The 2023 MLB season is officially getting underway today. For the first time since 1968, Opening Day with feature all 30 MLB teams hitting the diamond. The Astros open their World Series title defense at home against the Chicago White Sox.