Spending for the class-size reduction program could be severly cut.
From California Watch:
In his newly-released proposed budget, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger projected spending $340 million less than anticipated during the current school year, and $550 million less in the school year beginning in September. Together, the reductions would save the state nearly $900 million.
This would mark a huge rollback of the program that now costs the state about $1.8 billion a year. Since 1996, California has spent about $22 billion on the program, making it the most expensive education reform program in California's history.
The program began in the 90s to, well, reduce class sizes. Initiated by then-governor Pete Wilson, the class-size reduction program was intended to bring K-3 class sizes down to 20 students. A survey done by California Watch, a non-profit journalism project, found that class sizes have increased in public schools across the state.
But a survey by California Watch in the fall found that two-thirds of the state's largest school districts have already raised class sizes, some by a handful of students, and others to as many as 30 students. To yield projected savings of $550 million next year, the Department of Finance is anticipating that the majority of the state's school districts will raise class sizes during the coming year to at least 25 students.
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