Governor Perdue Signs Truth in Class Size into Law

Governor Perdue Signs Truth in Class Size into Law

Legislation Lowers Class Sizes in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade

VILLA RICA, Ga. - Governor Sonny Perdue signed into law today the Truth in Class Size Act (HB1358), legislation lowering class sizes in kindergarten through eighth grade. Governor Perdue signed the bill into law at a kindergarten class at Mirror Lake Elementary School in Douglas County.

“Today we’re accomplishing two things. First, before the children walk in the door on the first day of school, parents and teachers will know with certainty that the number of children in the classroom will be limited,” said Governor Perdue. “And second, we’re reducing class sizes to create a better learning environment for Georgia’s students.”

Beginning in the fall of 2006, parents and teachers will see no more than 18 students in a kindergarten class, down from a maximum of 20 in the past. For grades 1-3, classes will be reduced to 21 students in a class, down from 23. In grades 4-8, class sizes will be reduced from 32 students to a maximum class size of 28 students.

Governor Perdue’s FY07 budget includes $163 million in general instruction through the Department of Education for class size reductions. The budget also includes $441.5 million in bonds for classroom construction, new technology and 900 new school buses. Every county in the state of Georgia will get a new school bus under Governor Perdue’s budget.

HB1358, one of the primary pieces of Governor Perdue’s education agenda, was sponsored by Representative Brooks Coleman and carried in the Senate by Senator Dan Moody.

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