Fewer teachers, larger classrooms in Pennsylvania, study finds

A new study released by the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators and the Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials has found many of the state’s school districts have fewer teachers and larger classes this year.

The Associated Press reports 5,106 school employees, including 1,686 teachers were laid off in the districts that participated in the survey.

Additionally, 3,259 positions were eliminated or left vacant, according to the survey.

The survey found 70 percent of the districts increased their average class sizes over last year’s level while 44 percent reduced elective courses not required for graduation.

The Associated Press reports the results of the study were based on responses from 294 of the state’s 500 school districts (59 percent).

The AP says the legislature slashed public-education spending by nearly $900 million, or more than 10 percent at the urging of Governor Corbett as part of a strategy to avoid a state budget deficit for the year that began July 1.

Click here to read the study from the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators and Pennsylvania Association of School Business Officials.