Category Archives: Waivers

2015-16 Class Size Waiver

Posted on September 16, 2015 by | 5 comments

On Monday the DeKalb Board of Education passed the latest annual class size waiver resolution for the 2015-16 school year. Revenues are way up, and assuming no teacher vacancies, the average class size is down across the district. However, the district is asking for a waiver for the same maximum class size we’ve had since 2012 (as seen in chart below) to ensure all funding is captured on FTE count day. While I voted ‘No’, the board passed the resolution.

Dr. Kaveous Preston

Dr. Kaveous K. Preston is DeKalb Schools’ Director of Allotments Scheduling & Budgets, and Office of Federal Programs. Dr. Preston has explained How the District Funds the School House and DeKalb Schools Waivers. He is also available on demand to come to your location to speak about these issues.
Dr. Preston answers some follow up questions I had for him on the class size waiver before the board.
The addition of a 2-student buffer on the 2015-2016 class size maximum is necessary to ensure that full funding is captured for all classes. The GaDOE has asked that school systems put all class size maximums and FTE buffers into the single resolution document for 2015-2016.
Question:  Does that mean the “2015-2016 Proposed Maximum Class Size” includes the 2-student buffer? If so, Are we effectively lowering maximum class sizes by 2.
Dr. Kaveous Preston: The max class size does include the buffer as required by the state, which is the same from last year so we are not lowering maximum class size by 2. On our class size max chart that we give to the schools the buffer is not included due to the fact that we do not want them using it if at all possible.
Example:
Grade 2 –
State Class Size – 21
Waiver – 29
Chart to schools – 27
Question: The “2015-2016 Instructional Allotment Staffing Formula” was used to staff the schoolhouse driving class size. As the year progresses and the size of classes increase when should principals and parents expect to add a new teacher? Even though there is no buffer, will we wait until the “2015-2016 Proposed DCSD Maximum Class Size” is breached to add a new teacher?
Dr. Kaveous Preston: No. We use what we call a 10 student buffer. As soon as the class size average gets within than buffer we contact the principal. We then contact Operations to get a review of the enrollment trends for that specific school. We then make a recommendation to the principal; however the principal has the final decision.
Question: Many schools have no available space to add a teacher. What do principals with enrollment at or over 100% capacity do when they need a new teacher? Where do they put additional teachers and how does that process work?
Dr. Kaveous Preston: This is monitored very closely and principals are notified well before they are within what we call a 10 student buffer of needing a new teacher. If there is a concern with capacity, we contact the operations department and we conduct a school visit to meet with the principal to make immediate and long term plans. This has worked well.
Question: In addition to finding a classroom, adding teachers midyear is fraught with challenges. Parents and students get attached quickly to their teachers, changing teachers midyear is disruptive and there aren’t many unemployed highly qualified teachers.
Dr. Kaveous Preston: We address this by hiring or using extended day in the High Schools at the principals’ autonomy. We give autonomy to the ES and MS on this issue also. I have seen it to where the school wants to hire and where they do not. (In the cases of not, the principal feels that the classes will not grow any further and from my experience they have been correct)
Question: Given there is no buffer, was an analysis performed on how many schools would be affected? What are the results of that analysis?
Dr. Kaveous Preston: The buffer is in the resolution as it was last year. The state just requires that it is all inclusive. The addition of a 2-student buffer on the 2015-2016 class size maximum is necessary to ensure that full funding is captured for all classes. In previous years, this buffer amount was referred to as a class size waiver. The GaDOE has asked that school systems put all class size maximums and FTE buffers into the single resolution document for 2015-2016. This addition will not be used to determine class maximums throughout the year, but will be used only in the event that a class enrollment exceeds the DCSD maximum class size close to the FTE Count Date to ensure that no FTE funding is lost.
Question: If the allotments and max class sizes didn’t change from FY2014 to FY2015, why did we see such a precipitous drop in average class size for all categories from FY2014 to FY2015?
Dr. Kaveous Preston: This was due to better scheduling as you have seen over the past 2 1/2 years. The formula and the max did not change; however the earning did which produced more teachers and a decrease in class size.

OCGA MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE
GRADE(S)/SUBJECT(S) 160-5-1-.08 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016*
Kindergarten 18 22 24 24 24 24
Kindergarten w/Para 20 24 26 26 26 26
K-5 Early Intervention (EIP) self-contained & pull-out classes 14 18 20 20 20 20
1-3 21 25 27 27 27 27
4-5 (E/LA, Math, Science, Social Studies) 28 32 34 34 34 34
6-8 (E/LA, Math, Science, Social Studies) 28 32 34 34 34 34
K-3 Fine Arts 33 35 37 37 37 37
6-8 Fine Arts & World Language (taught as part of Connections) 33 35 37 37 37 37
6-8 World Language for Carnegie Unit credit 32 34 36 36 36 36
4-8 (all others) 33 35 38 38 38 38
9-12 (E/LA, Math, Science, Social Studies, World Languages) 32 34 36 36 36 36
9-12 (all other subjects) 35 37 39 39 39 39
Vocational Labs 28 30 32 32 32 32
Typing/Keyboarding 35 37 39 39 39 39
Instrumental Music (Band) 100 102 104 104 104 104
Choral Music 80 82 84 84 84 84
Physical Education (no para) 40 44 46 46 46 46
Physical Education (with para – Elem Schools only) 54 56 58 58 58 58
Co-op Supervision (Work Study) 56 58 60 60 60 60
K-5 Gifted (Resource) 17 21 23 23 23 23
6-8 Gifted (Resource and Advanced Content) 21 25 27 27 27 27
9-12 Gifted (Resource and Advanced Content) 21 25 30 30 27 27
6-12 Remedial (REP) No para 18 22 27 27 24 24
6-12 Remedial (REP) With para 24 28 30 30 30 30
Alternative Programs (no para) 18 20 22 22 22 22
Alternative Programs (with para) 24 26 28 28 28 28
K-3 ESOL/English for Speakers of Other Languages (no para) 11 13 15 15 15 15
K-3 ESOL/English for Speakers of Other Languages (with para) 13 15 17 17 17 17
4-8 ESOL/English for Speakers of Other Languages (no para) 14 16 18 18 18 18
4-8 ESOL/English for Speakers of Other Languages (with para) 15 17 19 19 19 19
9-12 ESOL/English for Speakers of Other Languages (no para) 18 20 22 22 22 22
9-12 ESOL/English for Speakers of Other Languages (with para) 20 22 24 24 24 24

*Class sizes for students with disabilities are also proposed to be increased for 2015-2016. Maximums in these areas are determined by student exceptionality and will be provided by the Office of Support Services.

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Posted in Class Size, Waivers

Class Size Analysis – Elementary Schools

Posted on September 8, 2015 by | 16 comments

This analysis shows the reported average class size for each grade by elementary school. The average class size for the school (grades K-5) were ranked and ordered from smallest to largest. Comment on this post and let me know if these class sizes are not accurate in your school.
Legal Max Class Size – GaDOE rule 160-5-1-.08 (thanks for the link Kirk) sets the maximum number of students that may be taught by a teacher in a class.
Waiver Max Class Size – The GaDOE will grant flexibility to class size requirements. On Sept 14 the board will be voting on School Year 2015-16 Class Size Waiver.
2-Student Buffer This year there will be no “+2” student buffer for maximum class size. The maximum size that is set in the resolution will be the maximum class size and no buffer will be permissible.
District Class Size Avg – This indicates the average for the grade across the entire district.
Advanced Content Model – Students at Wadsworth and Kittridge are instructed through the Advanced Content Model of instruction.
Failing Elementary Schools – Many of our failing elementary schools as identified by the Opportunity School District have some of the lowest average class sizes: Toney (17 students), Meadowview (17 Students), Clifton (20 students), Cedar Grove (20 students)

Opportunity School District Candidates
Advanced Content Model
School Based (Principal) Decision
Monitoring and have been in contact with Principal

 
Average Class Size For Every Elementary School By Grade

Legal Max Class Size 18 21 21 21 28 28 28 28
Waiver Max Class Size 24 27 27 27 34 34 34 34
District Class Size Avg 19 22 22 22 25 25 25 26
Grade Level
Rank Grade Region K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AVG K-5
1 Wadsworth Magnet 5 16 16 20 16.00
2 Toney ES 5 14 21 18 15 20 15 17.17
3 Meadowview ES 5 18 17 13 17 19 23 17.83
4 Briar Vista ES 2 16 17 18 17 22 18 18.00
5 Sagamore Hills ES 2 16 18 21 18 16 26 19.17
6 Rowland ES 5 18 19 18 21 21 20 19.50
7 Clifton ES 5 17 17 22 21 23 18 19.67
8 Smoke Rise ES 2 17 21 24 21 17 18 19.67
9 Chapel Hill ES 4 16 22 20 20 20 22 20.00
10 Kittridge Magnet 1 20 20 20 20.00
11 Cedar Grove ES 5 22 19 21 17 22 21 20.33
12 Evansdale ES 2 17 19 18 23 21 25 20.50
13 Rock Chapel ES 3 24 17 23 19 18 22 20.50
14 Columbia ES 5 18 21 19 19 19 29 20.83
15 Vanderlyn ES 1 17 24 19 23 21 21 20.83
16 Avondale ES 2 19 18 20 25 23 21 21.00
17 Midvale ES 2 19 18 20 25 20 24 21.00
18 Oak Grove ES 2 20 21 21 22 24 18 21.00
19 Shadow Rock ES 3 18 21 19 23 24 21 21.00
20 Mcnair Discovery ES 5 20 19 22 24 21 21 21.17
21 Bob Mathis ES 4 16 18 22 23 25 24 21.33
22 Brockett ES 2 20 21 24 20 18 25 21.33
23 Kelley Lake ES 5 18 19 20 18 30 23 21.33
24 Dresden ES 1 15 22 20 21 26 25 21.50
25 Laurel Ridge ES 2 18 22 20 25 21 23 21.50
26 Snapfinger ES 5 15 22 23 19 24 26 21.50
27 Stone Mountain ES 3 16 21 20 22 26 24 21.50
28 Ashford Park ES 1 23 20 23 22 22 20 21.67
29 Livsey ES 2 19 17 19 21 33 21 21.67
Rank Grade Reg K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AVG K-5
30 Rainbow ES 4 24 24 22 19 23 18 21.67
31 Hambrick ES 3 17 21 22 19 26 26 21.83
32 Idlewood ES 2 16 25 23 19 23 25 21.83
33 Oakview ES 1 18 20 19 21 26 27 21.83
34 Robert Shaw ES 2 22 23 20 21 21 24 21.83
35 Allgood ES 3 19 23 24 21 23 23 22.17
36 Hawthorne ES 2 18 20 22 23 22 28 22.17
37 Kingsley ES 1 20 19 20 21 26 27 22.17
38 Briarlake ES 2 17 23 19 25 20 30 22.33
39 Dunaire ES 3 18 24 22 20 29 21 22.33
40 Jolly ES 3 18 21 26 21 23 25 22.33
41 DSA 2 20 23 22 22 25 23 26 25 22.50
42 Fernbank ES 2 23 22 20 21 24 25 22.50
43 Indian Creek ES 3 21 23 22 22 28 19 22.50
44 Chesnut ES 1 16 21 23 22 25 29 22.67
45 Henderson Mill ES 2 21 23 21 23 25 23 22.67
46 Rockbridge ES 3 18 21 21 24 25 27 22.67
47 Flat Shoals ES 4 18 22 26 21 23 27 22.83
48 Browns Mill ES 4 19 22 21 23 23 30 23.00
49 E.L. Miller ES 22 24 22 23 23 24 23.00
50 Redan ES 3 16 18 22 25 31 26 23.00
51 Fairington ES 4 20 23 23 24 27 22 23.17
52 Hightower ES 1 19 25 22 22 27 24 23.17
53 Stone Mill ES 3 17 25 25 20 27 25 23.17
54 Austin ES 1 20 24 23 22 25 26 23.33
55 Huntley Hills ES 1 19 21 20 26 28 26 23.33
56 E.L. Bouie ES 18 19 24 26 27 27 23.50
57 Woodridge ES 4 13 26 21 22 31 28 23.50
58 Mclendon ES 2 22 26 20 20 26 28 23.67
59 Montclair ES 1 21 24 19 24 26 28 23.67
Rank Grade Reg K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AVG K-5
60 Murphey Candler ES 4 19 25 22 21 31 24 23.67
61 Princeton ES 3 19 24 24 21 25 29 23.67
62 Canby Lane ES 5 19 22 25 24 25 28 23.83
63 Cary Reynolds ES 1 20 20 23 24 30 28 24.17
64 Stoneview ES 4 20 24 24 24 28 26 24.33
65 N. Harris ES 4 20 27 23 24 26 27 24.50
66 Pleasantdale ES 2 22 27 25 21 27 26 24.67
67 Marbut ES 4 25 24 20 24 29 27 24.83
68 Montgomery ES 1 18 24 22 26 32 27 24.83
69 Panola Way ES 4 22 25 23 23 29 28 25.00
70 Wynbrooke 3 24 26 24 23 25 29 25.17
71 Flat Rock ES 5 19 26 21 25 28 34 25.50
72 Dunwoody ES 1 23 25 26 27 27 26 25.67
73 Pine Ridge ES 3 20 23 26 24 28 34 25.83
74 Woodward ES 1 18 24 27 25 30 31 25.83
75 New Peachcrest ES 21 24 26 26 30 31 26.33
76 Oakcliff ES 5 24 21 25 27 29 32 26.33
Rank Grade Reg K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 AVG K-5
Legal Max Class Size 18 21 21 21 28 28 28 28
Waiver Max Class Size 24 27 27 27 34 34 34 34
District Class Size Avg 19 22 22 22 25 25 25 26

Related Posts

DeKalb Class Size Analysis
Middle Schools – 2017
May 2, 2017 – Over the last 4 years DeKalb Schools has added over 1,000 school house employees. Middle school class sizes have gone down and are generally below the state max. This analysis shows the reported average class size for each grade by DeKalb middle school.

DeKalb Class Size Analysis
Elementary Schools – 2017
May 1, 2017 – This analysis shows the reported average class size for each grade by elementary school. The average class size for the school (grades K-5) were ranked and ordered from smallest to largest.

Class Size Analysis – Elementary Schools
September 8, 2015 – This analysis shows the reported average class size for each grade by elementary school. The average class size for the school (grades K-5) were ranked and ordered from smallest to largest. Comment on this post and let me know if these class sizes are not accurate in your school.

16 Comments

Posted in Class Size, Waivers