The state Education Department has granted
20 school districts waivers from meeting a state law requiring a
16-to-1 student-teacher ratio in kindergarten through third grades.
The waivers are good for the 2012-13 school year.
State schools superintendent Cindy Hill says the 16-to-1 ratio
is challenging for some districts but she's confident all will
eventually reach the mandate that was set by the 2011 Legislature
as part its education reform initiative.
State law allows districts to seek a waiver from the Education
Department if they show good reason why they can't meet the
standard. For instance, districts with not enough classroom
capacity can be excused from meeting the requirement.
Districts that don't meet the ratio and don't get a waiver risk
losing their state financial aid.
Districts will be granted a waiver to meet classroom size
