A Good Idea Just Got Better

California’s ambitious class size reduction program deserves an A for accomplishment at this point. At least 95% of the eligible school districts are on track to assigning no more than 20 first- and second-graders to a teacher. The quality of education will obviously improve, and nearly 1 million pupils stand to benefit.

The program targets the first two grades, but state Supt. of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin wants to expand the mandate to kindergarten through third grade. To fund such an expansion, she will lobby the Legislature to put a $3-billion state school bond measure before the voters. Proceeds would be used in part for the construction of additional permanent classrooms and to buy more portable classrooms.

When Gov. Pete Wilson announced the class size reduction program last May, naysayers complained that school districts would need more time to hire additional teachers and buy portable classrooms or find other space on campus. Sacramento responded with a short deadline and promised schools $650 for each pupil in a class of 20 or fewer. That incentive proved irresistible to most districts, even those with bureaucracies notorious for being slow.

The response has outstripped the $200 million earmarked for capital expenses--primarily the new classroom space--so some costs are being shifted to school districts, which wasn’t part of the original bargain. But the deficit can be covered if the Legislature listens to Eastin. There is a surplus of $141 million in the state fund designated for staffing and stocking the new classrooms. She sensibly proposes that it be shifted to physical classroom space. Without the space, there will be no need for the staff, furniture and materials. Put first things first.

Wilson, Eastin, parents and teachers recognize that California’s students must do better. Smaller classes are part of the solution to what’s wrong with public education.