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Reps. Brown, McBath and Sen. Merkley Introduce Legislation to Reduce Class Sizes in Schools

December 2, 2021

 

WASHINGTON – Representatives Shontel M. Brown (OH-11) and Lucy McBath (GA-06) introduced the Smaller Class Sizes for Students and Educators Act, legislation addressing overcrowded public-school classrooms.  U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

Students achieve better academic results when they have more individualized attention from instructors, especially in kindergarten through third grade, yet class sizes have continued to grow. That problem was exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic, as school districts transitioned to virtual learning, limiting in-person instruction and causing additional burden for hardworking teachers.

“Every child in America deserves the best education we can provide, yet chronic underinvestment in public schools has led to swelling class sizes in school districts in Ohio and across the country,” said Rep. Brown. “We know that smaller class sizes help our students succeed. As we emerge from the pandemic, we must ensure teachers have the support they need to do their jobs effectively and students receive the individualized attention they deserve.  I am proud to join Congresswoman McBath and Senator Merkley in introducing this legislation that invests in reducing class sizes, especially in the low-income districts most in need.”

“The role that teachers and educators play is critical in our children’s lives, and we must support our teachers so that students can receive an education that will set them up for future success. That includes more one-on-one time with their teachers, more tailored instruction opportunities, and more investment in developing the meaningful connection to instill a deep love of learning,” said Rep. McBath. “I thank Senator Merkley and Congresswoman Brown for their work and support on this important piece of legislation. It is efforts like these that will help us provide a brighter future for every American child.”

“I attended Oregon public schools as a child, and I remember having around 20 children in my first grade class. When I dropped my son off for his first day of school, his class had 34 children, and I wondered how his teacher could organize and teach such a large group,” said Senator Merkley. “Today, after a year and a half in which our students have been mostly in virtual school rooms, students have faced more challenges than ever, and too often they are unable to access the attention they need to excel in the classroom and recover from the learning losses of COVID-19. As the wealthiest nation on earth, we must ensure our children are able to succeed in academics, and that can’t happen in overstuffed classrooms. We can afford to do better, and it’s time to invest in the high-quality public education every American student deserves.”

The Smaller Class Sizes for Students and Educators Act would:

  • Establish a $2 billion competitive grant program for school districts to reduce class sizes in K-3 grades to not more than 18 students per class;
  • Enable school districts to apply for grant funding to reduce class sizes, which the Secretary of Education will award based on the schools with the greatest need;
  • Ensure that grant funding is used to recruit, hire, and train qualified teachers in K-3 grades; and
  • Prioritize schools that serve the highest percentage of students from families with incomes below the poverty line, and then schools with the highest average class sizes in K-3 grades.

This bill is supported by the American Federation of Teachers, First Focus Campaign for Children, and the National Education Association.

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Issues:Education

Media Contact

Communications Director: Will McDonald
Email:  Will.McDonald@mail.house.gov