Schools

$3.5M Class Size Reduction Plan Proposed For Prince William County Schools

Overcrowding has been a problem in local schools for some time.

The Prince William County School Board may bring in 43 teachers and reduce class sizes, in a move that would cost $3.5 million and slightly alleviate overcrowding at some schools. 

"The Prince William County School Board is considering options presented at the Nov. 19 meeting for starting the long and expensive process of reducing PWCS class sizes," a PWCS release read. "Steps presented by Superintendent Steven Walts focus on the grade levels and subjects in which modest reductions will likely make the biggest difference."

This proposed plan would bring in one new sixth grade teacher per middle school and one new math teacher per high school. It would also bring down the class size ratio by one in kindergarten programs.

“It is the quality of the teaching that is, according to research, the single most important aspect to having a quality education. To simply reduce class size in and of itself will not necessarily yield a positive achievement result, so professional development is very critical to that process,” Walts said, while suggesting a mathematics coach to assist teachers in Geometry, Algebra I and Algebra II. 

This plan will be further discussed at the next joint county and school board meeting on Nov. 26.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Lake Ridge-Occoquan