HB295 Alabama 2014 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Merika ColemanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2014

Title

Kindergarten through 12th grade classrooms, number of students per teacher limited, phase-in period

Summary

HB295 would set specific class size limits for K–12 and require the state to fund phased reductions in student numbers per classroom by 2018-2019.

What This Bill Does

It establishes maximum students per teacher: 15 for kindergarten through third grade, 22 for fourth through eighth, and 25 for ninth through twelfth, to be achieved by the 2018-2019 school year with a phased rollout starting in 2014-2015. The state must pay the costs of reducing class sizes, not local school systems, and extracurricular classes are not affected. The plan also requires enough classrooms to meet these limits and directs funding to reduce the average class size by at least two students per year beginning in 2014-2015 until the limits are reached.

Who It Affects

• Students in kindergarten through 12th grade, who would experience smaller class sizes in the specified grade bands by 2018-2019.
• Teachers, as the per-class size limits determine how many students they teach in each classroom.
• Local school systems/districts, which would not be financially responsible for the cost of implementing the smaller class sizes (the state would cover costs).
• State government, which would be responsible for providing funding to reduce class sizes.

Key Provisions

• Class size limits: maximum of 15 students per teacher for K-3, 22 for grades 4-8, and 25 for grades 9-12, phased in to be in place by the 2018-2019 school year.
• phased implementation: limits begin to be implemented on a graduated basis starting with the 2014-2015 fiscal year.
• Funding responsibility: costs associated with meeting the class size limits are the responsibility of the state, not local school systems.
• Annual progress: the Legislature must provide enough funds from 2014-2015 onward to reduce the average number of students per classroom by at least two students per year until the limits are met.
• Effective date: the act would take effect immediately after passage/approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education