But not everybody is in agreement about President Clinton's proposed initiative that would reduce class size in grades 1 to 3 to a nationwide average of 18. President Clinton's plan has fueled anew the longstanding debate over the issue of class size.
Many critics point to conflicting research about the benefits of smaller classes.
Many wonder where school administrators will find the classroom space for new classes and the quality teachers needed to fill them. Other critics take issue with the cost of Clinton's proposal. The money, they say, might be better spent on other programs. Today, about a million of the state's pupils are in classes of 20 students or fewer. Reports of participation rates and early test results indicate that the program has had some success.