Sen. Patty Murray Introduces FOCUS Class Size Legislation
US Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) has introduced legislation that would limit class sizes and push recruitment for better teachers.
U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) introduced the Facilitating Outstanding Classrooms Using Size Reduction (FOCUS) Act of 2011 [bill summary, PDF], which the Senator says would provide states with the resources they need to reduce class sizes across the early grade levels in order to provide students and teachers with an educational environment that encourages maximum student academic growth. Murray’s bill will also put in place evaluation tools to assess the program’s effectiveness.
“Studies show that smaller classes help children improve in all areas of life. As a mother and former teacher, I have a deep commitment to our nation’s students and the environment in which they’re educated,” said Senator Patty Murray. “The FOCUS Act will