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Class Size

Keeping class sizes within proper limits is not just a professional right to enable you to do your job better; it’s also an educational benefit for students who can receive more individual attention. Contractual class-size limits vary with the school level, type of class and other factors, but they are usually 32 in elementary grades, 33 in intermediate schools (30 in Title 1 intermediate schools), and 34 in high schools. Class-size is 25 in kindergarten and 18 in pre-K. Alert your chapter leader if your class or classes exceed these limits.

The UFT negotiated an expedited procedure to address oversized classes in a way that violations can be resolved sooner and those that must go to arbitration are also addressed faster.

  • During the first 10 school days, chapter leaders and principals work to resolve class size overages.
  • Between days 10 and 20, the UFT district representative and the superintendent will work to resolve any remaining oversized classes in their district. Between days 15 and 20 of the term, the UFT district rep and superintendent will each fill out an electronic form for each school indicating which, if any, classes are still oversized and the cause.
  • No later than the 21st day of school, the central class size labor management committee will work to resolve remaining oversized classes. The central committee will meet at least three days per week until it has reviewed the oversized classes in every school.
  • The central committee will also meet no later than the 10th school day to address schools that are chronically out of compliance.
  • Arbitrators will have the authority to determine the appropriate remedy for any school that goes to arbitration. No more DOE action plans.

Class size staffing ratios for students with disabilities are determined by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and state education law. You can call your borough office if you believe your special education class is oversized or you can make a special education compliance complaint online regarding class size via the UFT website.

For more details, see Article 7M of the contract.