NYC Schools Could Get 2-Year Extension To Comply With Class Size Mandate: Report

NEW YORK CITY — New York City schools could have an additional two years to comply with a state law to reduce class sizes, according to a new report.

The proposed change comes after new legislation was introduced on Monday by State Sen. John Liu of Queens, according to a report from Chalkbeat.

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According to a 2022 state law, the city was required to cap 80 percent of its classroom this year to 20 to 25 students.

All classes were required to meet that mandate by the 2027-28 school year, Chalkbeat reported.

Instead, city schools would now have to cap 70 percent of its classes this year and continue to reduce class size by 10 percent in the next three years.

The city would have until the 2029-30 school year to meet the mandate, according to the report.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani in a statement to the outlet said "extending this timeline gives our schools the opportunity to reduce class sizes in a way that is sustainable and responsible.”

The city's teacher union disclosed that schools would struggle to reach the 70 percent compliance rate without relying on exemptions.

On Monday, the United Federation of Teachers and Department of Education also came to an agreement that educators will be eligible for a pay bump if their classes are above the caps, Chalkbeat reported.