What We Are Asking For
We are calling on the state to establish and enforce statewide class size limits so that every student -regardless of district, income level, or ZIP code - has equal access to quality instruction and meaningful teacher support.

We urge the state to adopt the following maximum class size caps based on research and developmental need:

Kindergarten–2nd grade: No more than 20 students per class
3rd–5th grade: No more than 23 students per class
6th–8th grade: No more than 26 students per class
These limits must apply consistently across all districts, including Title I schools, and be supported with appropriate funding and staffing.

 
Why This Matters
What This Looks Like in Real Classrooms
In a 4th grade classroom of 33 students, a teacher has less than one minute per student per hour of instructional time. That means fewer reading conferences, fewer math check-ins, fewer opportunities to catch learning gaps early, and less time to build relationships.

Meanwhile, students in other states experience very different conditions. For example, New York City limits 4th grade classes to 23 students under state law. Students receive significantly more individualized attention - not because of need, but because of geography.

That is not equal opportunity.

 
Class Size Directly Impacts Learning
Decades of research confirm that smaller class sizes improve student achievement, especially in early elementary grades. Studies such as Project STAR show that students in smaller classes make stronger gains in reading and math, with benefits that last for years. These gains are especially pronounced for students from low-income communities.

Smaller classes allow teachers to:

Identify learning gaps earlier
Differentiate instruction effectively
Provide meaningful feedback
Build strong, supportive relationships
These are not “extras” - they are foundational to student success.

 
Large Class Sizes Create Inequity
When districts allow class sizes of 30+ students, teacher attention is stretched thin. A teacher with 33 students is managing and grading 43% more work than a teacher with 23 students, while being held to the same academic expectations.

This is not a teacher effectiveness issue - it is a capacity issue.

When some students consistently receive more teacher time simply because of where they live, we are creating two different educational experiences within the same state.

 
Title I Students Are Disproportionately Affected
Title I funding exists to reduce educational inequities. Yet in many cases, Title I schools are allowed the largest class sizes.

Students who need:

More individualized instruction
Language support
Academic intervention
Social-emotional guidance
are often placed in the most overcrowded classrooms. This directly contradicts the purpose of equity-based funding and undermines the very students it is meant to support.

 
Class Size Also Affects Behavior and Safety
Overcrowded classrooms are not just an academic issue - they are a school climate issue.

When class sizes increase:

Behavioral challenges rise
Teachers have less time to de-escalate conflicts
Students receive less social-emotional support
Smaller class sizes lead to calmer classrooms, stronger relationships, and safer learning environments for students and staff alike.

 
Why Statewide Caps Are Necessary
Leaving class size decisions to individual districts creates wide disparities and inconsistent learning conditions. Statewide caps would:

Ensure fairness and consistency across districts
Prevent high-need schools from being disproportionately overcrowded
Give teachers the capacity to meet state academic standards
Support long-term student success and teacher retention
 
Who This Change Would Benefit
Students who need individualized instruction
English learners and students with disabilities
Teachers facing unsustainable workloads and burnout
Families who want safe, supportive classrooms
Communities invested in long-term educational success
 
Our Ask Is Simple
Set clear, enforceable statewide class size limits:

K–2: 20 students
3–5: 23 students
6–8: 26 students
And provide the funding necessary to make these limits achievable.

 
Closing
If smaller class sizes are good enough for some students, they should be good enough for all students. Educational equity cannot exist when class size depends on a child’s ZIP code.

Statewide class size caps are not about lowering expectations - they are about giving every student a fair chance to meet them.

Please sign and share this petition to help create classrooms where learning is possible, personal, and equitable for all.