Reasonable changes for class-size amendment

Amendment 8, which weakens the state class-size law, was placed on the November ballot by lawmakers, who said local school boards need more flexibility in meeting the law's strict requirements.

But the champions of the class-size rule say the real goal is to help lawmakers avoid their fiscal obligations to schools, and they argue Amendment 8 will dismantle the progress that has been made since voters in 2002 overwhelmingly adopted the constitutional amendment. The law limits the number of students allowed per class to 18 in kindergarten through third grade; 22 in grades four through eight; and 25 in high school.

Until now, the law was phased in, and schools could use classroom averages to meet the requirements. But now school districts must meet its numbers in every classroom. Hillsborough, so far, has managed to cope with the standards, but lawmakers say the strict caps eventually will force schools to add more classes and teachers should a course be just one student over the limit.

Amendment 8 opponents may be right that lawmakers' motives are primarily financial. The state has already spent nearly $16 billion to comply with the law, and an analysis by the independent TaxWatch estimated the law, unchanged, would cost the state $40 billion in operational costs over the next 10 years.

But given the state's fiscal challenges and the ongoing recession, there is nothing wrong with eliminating costly and unnecessary requirements. After all, having fewer students per class is desirable, and certainly makes a class more manageable, but it is not the only factor in students' success. An engaged teacher may inspire students even if they are spilling out the classroom. A lackadaisical teacher may struggle with only a handful of students. Parental support also is a critical factor - surely far more important than the number of students per class.

Amendment 8's changes are modest. It would retain the original targets but allow them to be calculated as school averages. It would increase the hard caps on individual classes - 21 for kindergarten through third grade, 27 for fourth through eight and 30 for high school.

Some classes undoubtedly would have more students. But requiring schools to meet the original targets as overall averages would guard against excess. Yes, spending on classroom size would be reduced. But that should be viewed as an accomplishment that could free up money for more effective education investments.

If lawmakers do not invest adequately in our schools, voters should hold them accountable. But forcing them to spend heavily on arbitrary classroom-size numbers doesn't make sense.

The Tampa Tribune recommends a yes vote on Amendment 8.