Most New Jersey districts would cap classes at 25 students

The bill would cap most classes in districts outside the high-poverty group at 25 students. The cap applies to kindergarten through grade 12 in districts that are not high-poverty districts. A high-poverty district has at least 40 percent of its students classified as at-risk under current law. Special education classes must meet State Board of Education requirements. Physical education and performing arts classes may be exceptions where appropriate. Districts may also use multi-grade academies and other practices that personalize learning and strengthen relationships. If students remain unassigned after classes are set at 25, a district may place additional students in one or more classes or create more classes by reducing class sizes. The state would pay all costs a district incurs to reduce class sizes to 25 students. Relevant terms in collective bargaining agreements in force on the act’s effective date would not be affected. The act would take effect upon enactment, but the limits would first apply in the second full school year after enactment.