The state legislature slashed $4 billion from public education this year, forcing many Central Texas school districts to lay off teachers. School districts are now considering whether they want to raise student-to-teacher ratios.
State law limits those ratios at 22-to-1 from Kindergarten through the 4th grade. School districts have until October 3 to request an increase of 24-to-1.
University of Texas education professor Christopher Brown says parents need to be aware of the potential impact in their kid’s classroom.
“You should be concerned. The research on it itself is not necessarily clear. In some cases people will show it does have a negative effect. In other cases it will show that it doesn’t necessarily have a negative effect. A lot depends on the teacher in the classroom," Brown said.
The Round Rock and Leander school districts are among those requesting waivers to raise class size limits. Austin and Eanes ISD are not requesting waivers. Dripping Springs and Pflugerville are monitoring the situation and not ruling it out. The Del Valle school board is scheduled to vote on it tonight.
