With that in mind, I have proposed Classrooms First. We should phase in this initiative by targeting schools that face the greatest challenges first. For example, in the first year, we should target the six elementary schools with the greatest numbers of at-risk students and reduce their ratios to 20 for next year, then add schools to the list annually. By reducing the ratio to 20 to one, the same strategies that allow elementary schools to currently keep class sizes in kindergarten through third grade around 23 will enable schools to get these class sizes down to 18. According to recent research, it is the schools with the greatest numbers of at-risk children that will make the greatest gains in achievement with reduced class sizes.
Research shows that only dramatic reductions in class size have any impact on student achievement.
If we cut the ratio from 25 to 24 next year, there would in effect be no impact next year for any child. If we target a group of six schools those schools would see an immediate and prolonged impact on student achievement. Reduce the number of students taught daily by middle school teachers who teach in core academic areas from 155 to 125. This reduction could be phased in to reduce the immediate costs of the proposal. This proposal is important for two reasons.