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Schools

Class size tweak faces uncertain Senate road

Senior lawmakers want to modify the measure voters approved in 2002, but a funding formula has even supporters confused.

By LETITIA STEIN
Published March 29, 2006

TALLAHASSEE - When voters approved class size limits in 2002, they knew exactly how many students would end up in every classroom. Four years later, lawmakers want them to reconsider, but without a firm promise on the outcome.

A complicated plan to ease the stringent - and costly - class size caps cleared its first hurdle in the Senate on Tuesday. It would also set a formula to pump a minimum amount of money into classrooms, 65 percent of operating funds.

The unknown: What costs should count toward that 65 percent.

The lack of specificity emerged as a sticking point Tuesday in discussions of the new proposed constitutional amendment. Even Republican lawmakers approving the measure had questions.

"The concern is not knowing what is included - what's in and what's out?" said Sen. Jim King, R-Jacksonville, who supports the ideas in the proposed ballot item. "I think it's something that needs to be done, or I don't know whether we can get it out of the Senate."

Either way, the measure faces a tough road in the Senate. It takes a three-fifths vote of both houses of the Legislature to ask voters to rethink the class size amendment. With Democrats opposed, the 26 Republicans in the 40-member Senate could have to close ranks to pass it.

Already, though, influential members doubt the so-called 65 percent solution.

"It tends to mix politics as opposed to what's best for students," said Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach, chair of the Senate Education Committee. "More and more, as I speak to people, they very much want to see class size (the amendment) in place." Lynn voted for the proposal Tuesday to continue the debate, but wouldn't commit her final support.

But the concept has the support of Gov. Jeb Bush and powerful Republican leaders, including incoming Senate President Ken Pruitt, R-Port St. Lucie, and next House Speaker Marco Rubio of Miami. They say that school districts need flexibility on the class size requirements.

Powerful Republicans have made no secret of their dislike of the multi-billion dollar amendment, which Bush campaigned against in 2002. It passed with 52.4 percent, marking a major victory for Democrats and the teachers' union.

Since then, GOP leaders have floated plans to ask voters for a redo. So far, none has made it to the ballot.

The caps were set at 18 students in kindergarten through third grade; 22 students in four through eight; and 25 students in nine through 12. The Legislature was charged with providing the funds to make it happen.

This year's proposed amendment would freeze the class-size caps at current district averages. "This does not undermine and undo class size," said Pruitt, the sponsor in the Senate. "It's actually enhancing and providing flexibility to our school boards."

Under his plan, classes could hold no more than five students over the district average. That breaks down to 23 students in kindergarten through third grade; 27 students in fourth through eight; and 30 students in grades nine through 12.

Revising the class size amendment is tied to another plan that potentially could sway votes. Lawmakers also want to steer 65 percent of school operating funds into classrooms, following a national movement.

Critics say it's a gimmick.

"We're misleading the people when we come up with propositions like this," said Sen. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami.

In a further complication, the proposal also would give a green-light to the practice of co-teaching, where two instructors share a room with two classes. Many districts employ this practice, but state education officials have said it shouldn't count toward class size requirements. Several legislative fixes are proposed this year.

Co-teaching isn't generating the most controversy in the 65 percent idea. Opponents are especially concerned that no one knows what expenditures will be included in the 65 percent formula. Currently, there's a national definition that no Florida school system meets.

Leading lawmakers have pledged to come up with a state-specific standard with advice from the local school boards, but they would wait to define it until next year, assuming it passes on the November ballot. But that's asking voters to approve an unknown.

"There's just a lot of "who knows' and "what if's'," said Dawn Steward, legislative chair of the Florida Parents and Teachers Association, who spoke against the proposal. "I want to know what I'm voting for."

Before the debate is put to voters directly, lawmakers have to approve it. In the Senate, which last year blocked a class size revision tied to raises for teachers, that's looking like a tall order.

Sen. Dan Webster, R-Winter Garden, supported the measure at its first committee stop. But he's not sugarcoating the odds.

"It'll be hard," he said.

Letitia Stein can be reached at lstein@sptimes.com or 850 224-7263.

[Last modified March 29, 2006, 01:25:05]