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Show Enrollment up for elementary classes "For years, Utah schools have had the largest class sizes in the entire nation," he said, adding that smaller classes in the kindergarten through third grade "are critically important to boys and girls who are learning to read, to work arithmetic problems and to write. Each one needs plenty of attention from the teacher." SALT LAKE CITY Elementary school classes in the Iron County School District average 27.49 students this year, according to Utah Education Association Research Director Don Ulmer. The district's average elementary class size last year was 27.18 students, he added. Iron County's average 1981-82 class size breakdown by grades is kindergarten, 25.8 students; first grade, 26.07 students; second grade, 25.43 students; third grade, 27.57 students; fourth grade, 31.1 students; fifth grade, 30.18 students; and sixth grade. 28 students. The UEA surveyed every elementary class in the State on Oct. 1 to determine the number of students enrolled. Ulnier said the statewide average class size for elementary classes this year is 27.29 students up from last year's average of 26.97 students. "At least part of the blame for this increase in class size is due to backsliding on the part of the Utah State Legislature after that body made an earlier commitment to reducing the size of classes in Utah," Ulmer said. The Legislature, after placing a a law on the books which set a goal of 24 students per class in the kindergarten through third grades, lessened the state's dedication this year to smaller classes, he added. , "The lawmakers did this by removing the mandate for reducing class sizes and forcing the program to compete with others for funding-funding funding-funding that was reduced by one-third," Ulmer siad. |