Advocacy

K-3 Class Size Mandate

​Last year, the NC General Assembly passed its budget with a section that limited class sizes for grades K-3 starting with the 2018-2019 school year. These limits are Kindergarten 18 students, First Grade: 16 students, Second Grade: 17 students, Third Grade: 17 students; and no limits on all higher grade classes.
​
The state of North Carolina has NOT provided funding for the additional teachers and staff needed to implement the new class size mandates nor the capital funding to create additional classroom space needed to implement the new class size mandates.
PTA is one of the nation’s oldest and most successful advocacy organizations. PTA has been an advocate for children since 1897 and has always been at the forefront in supporting laws that benefit children. One PTA purpose is to secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth.North Carolina PTA members can fulfill this mission and help brighten the future of every child.

You can be an advocate for our students at Swift Creek. 
  • For more information about education legislation and what the NC PTA is doing to advocate for our children, see What Is Advocacy on the NC PTA's web site. 
  • For information at the national level, see the Advocacy section on the National PTA web site.
Swift Creek PTA Position Statement for K-3 Class Size Mandate
Approved at General Membership Meeting Dec 12, 2017
Swift Creek PTA Position Statement (PDF version)

Swift Creek Elementary PTA believes that every child must be provided with a well-rounded, high-quality education, which will ensure that all children have the opportunity to reach their full potential and become productive members of society.

Last year, the NC General Assembly passed its budget with a section that limited class sizes for grades K-3 starting with the 2018-2019 school year. These limits are Kindergarten 18 students, First Grade: 16 students, Second Grade: 17 students, Third Grade: 17 students; and no limits on all higher grade classes.
​
The state of North Carolina has not provided funding for the additional teachers and staff needed to implement the new class size mandates nor the capital funding to create additional classroom space needed to implement the new class size mandates.

Unfortunately, the unintended consequences result in an unfunded mandate that would require thousands of new K-3 teachers in public school across the state, and more than 400 teachers in Wake County Public School Systems (WCPSS) alone.

WCPSS does not currently have the facilities for these 400 new elementary classes, nor the certified teachers for these classes. As a result, all schools, including Swift Creek Elementary might have to put multiple classes in a classroom, use libraries or office space for classrooms, reduce or eliminate some instructional programs, such as art and music, to accommodate the mandate.

Swift Creek Elementary PTA requests that the General Assembly of North Carolina restore local flexibility over class size to the original House Bill 13, which allows local districts flexibility to change the Kindergarten to Third student ratio up to six additional students in an individual class or average ratio increase by three additional students per school and/or establish a hardship waiver for school districts whose quality of education will be diminished through the class size mandate.
Swift Creek Elementary PTA will also support legislation that gives local school districts funding, authority and flexibility to support enhancement teachers and special programs in schools.

How You Can Help!