1. (1) In single grade rooms, the maximum class size shall be:

   1. (a) no more than 20 students in kindergarten and grades 1 and 2;
   2. (b) no more than 28 students in grades 3 and 4;
   3. (c) no more than 30 students in grades 5 through 8.

2. (2) In multigrade classrooms, the maximum class size shall be:

   1. (a) no more than 20 students in grades K, 1, 2, and 3;
   2. (b) no more than 24 students in grades 4, 5, and 6;
   3. (c) no more than 26 students in grades 7 and 8.
3. (3) Multigrade classrooms that cross grade level boundaries (e.g., 3-4, 6-7) shall use the maximum of the lower grade.
4. (4) In one-teacher schools, the maximum class size shall be 18 students.
5. (5) The school district must assign qualified human resources that comply with all fingerprint and background check requirements when exceeding maximum class sizes at a rate of 1 1/2 hours per day, per student overload.
6. (6) An overload of five students per classroom is considered excessive.

Authorizing statute(s): Mont. Const. Art. X, sec. 9, 20-2-114, 20-2-121, 20-7-101, MCA

Implementing statute(s): Mont. Const. Art. X, sec. 9, 20-2-121, 20-3-106, 20-7-101, MCA

History: NEW, 1989 MAR p. 342, Eff. 7/1/89; AMD, 1995 MAR p. 625, Eff. 4/28/95; AMD, 2000 MAR p. 3340, Eff. 12/8/00; AMD, 2023 MAR p. 255, Eff. 7/1/23.