AK SB18

Each school district must adopt a policy setting maximum class sizes for each grade.

Establishes a class size reduction grant program in the department providing five-year funding to school districts to reduce elementary school class sizes to a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio.

Department must establish an application process and give priority to school districts with the highest percentage of elementary schools receiving federal Title I financial assistance.

Grant recipients must use at least 97 percent of funds to hire and train elementary teachers, with no more than 3 percent for administrative expenses.

Once a district achieves 10:1 ratios in all elementary classes, it may use up to 15 percent of grant funds for classroom space improvements or teacher professional development.