A. Elementary Classrooms
KINDERGARTEN - Maximum of twenty (20) students for each teacher.
GRADES 1 - 6 - Maximum of twenty-five (25) students for each teacher.
NOTE: State Policy 2442.3 does not limit the number of pupils per teacher in a classroom for the purpose of instruction in choral and band or orchestra music. Also, a statewide exemption is granted for physical education classes in grades 4-6 for up to twenty-eight (28) students.
B. Exceptions to the Pupil-Teacher Ratio Mandates
West Virginia Code 18-5-18a grants authority to the State Superintendent of Schools to permit more than twenty (20) pupils per teacher in a specific kindergarten classroom and twenty-five (25) pupils per teacher in a specific classroom in grades one through six during a school year in the event of extraordinary circumstances as determined by the State Superintendent in State Policy 2442.3 after application for an exception by a county board of education.
The requirement for approval of an exception to exceed the kindergarten limit or grades 1-6 limit is waived in schools where the school wide pupil-teacher ratio is twenty-five (25) or less in grades 1-6. In no case shall the State Superintendent except classrooms having more than three (3) pupils above the teacher-pupil ratio in grades K, 4, 5, or 6.
Effective July, 1995, a teacher in grades 1, 2, or 3 or classroom having two or more such grade levels shall not have more than one (1) pupil above the teacher-pupil ratio; effective July, 1996, a teacher in grades 1, 2, 3 or classrooms having two or more such grade levels shall not have any pupils above the pupil-teacher ratio.
C. Secondary Classrooms
The Preston County Board of Education believes that class size for secondary students must be flexible. The number of students in a class depends upon available facilities, the age of students, grade level, the subject to be taught and the financial capabilities of the district. The board directs the superintendent to strive to achieve a class size that meets the needs of students and is acceptable to the accrediting requirements of the state and other accrediting organizations. In addition, the board sets the following guidelines:
2. In all courses requiring specially designed facilities and equipment, enrollment may be limited on a priority basis to those students needing such courses in order to meet graduation requirements, e.g, science, home economics, business education, and industrial education.