By KRWG News
Texas – Teacher groups have pressed a Senate committee to reject a bill that would ease class size limits in the elementary grades.
The longtime class-size limit has been 22 students but school leaders say they need flexibility to help them respond to major cuts in state aid.
Dallas school district Superintendent Michael Hinojosa testified Tuesday that the proposal would save his district about $28 million a year because fewer teachers would be needed.
But Patti Quinzi of Texas AFT, a state teacher group, says it will result in more kids in classrooms.
Jennifer Canaday of the Association of Texas Professional Educators cited research on the benefits of smaller classes.
Republican Sen. Dan Patrick of Houston proposes replacing the 22-student limit with an "average" class requirement of 21 students in elementaries.
___
Information from: The Dallas Morning News, http://www.dallasnews.com
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.