Haslam shelves classroom size proposal, for now

Gov. Bill Haslam said Wednesday he will no longer push a bill that would have allowed increases in classroom sizes, a move that constitutes his first legislative retreat since taking office last year.

Haslam told reporters in Nashville he would shelve the plan and pursue it next year, "with some adjustments."

The decision comes less than one month after Haslam introduced his legislative agenda for 2012, which included the classroom size plan. The issue quickly moved to the forefront of debate, as critics said the plan would lead to increases in classroom sizes and threaten student achievement. 

Those against the plan included the Tennessee Democratic Party, which collected more than 3,200 signatures for a petition opposing the measure. Party Chairman Chip Forrester called the proposal a "bad idea."

"Smaller class sizes are common sense," Forrester said. "They are an investment in Tennessee children, and that's investing in Tennessee's future. When our children grow and succeed, we're paving the way for good-paying, high-tech jobs and strong, safe communities."

Haslam had argued that his plan would have allowed schools the flexibility to pay teachers more, especially those teaching difficult subject areas and in challenging schools. Present law requires that pupil-to-teacher ratios across the state not exceed 20-1 for grades K-3, 25-1 for grades 4-6, 30-1 for grades 7-12 or 20-1 for vocational education.

The bill would have increased the ratios by five students per each class group.