Under what circumstance can a school be exempt from the maximum class-size requirement?

A school can be exempt from the maximum class-size requirement if the exemption is approved by the school-based decision-making council. This council is designed to provide greater flexibility and autonomy to schools in making decisions that best serve their particular needs and circumstances. By involving teachers, parents, and administrators in the decision-making process, the council can determine whether exceeding the class-size limit would be beneficial due to specific educational needs or resource availability. This approach allows for tailored solutions that can enhance the educational experience for students, reflecting the unique dynamics and challenges that each school may face.

Other conditions, such as being located in a rural area, having fewer than 100 enrolled students, or being a charter school, do not automatically grant exemptions to class-size limits. Each of these scenarios may influence funding, resources, or operational efficacy, but the ability to exceed class-size limits specifically requires the formal approval of the school-based decision-making council.