Bill > HB165

This bill establishes maximum classroom size limits for public schools in Alaska, with different caps based on grade levels: 23 students for kindergarten through third grade, 26 students for fourth through eighth grade, and 30 students for ninth through twelfth grade. The restrictions do not apply to school districts with an average daily membership (a technical term measuring student enrollment) of 35,000 or fewer students. School districts are required to notify parents twice annually about classroom size requirements, including the average classroom size for each grade level at each school and the specific number of students in their child's classroom. The bill allows classroom size limits to be temporarily exceeded if the excess is caused by student transfers after the first day of the school term. Exceptions to these size limits are made for specialized courses such as art, library, music, computer science, vocational-technical, and physical education. The provisions will take effect on July 1, 2026, giving school districts time to prepare for and implement the new classroom size requirements.

Education

https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Detail/34?Root=HB165