Lawmakers’ questions for Luna start with his plan to grow class sizes

Lawmakers on the budget and education committees are now questioning state schools Supt. Tom Luna on his proposals. The first few questions have focused on his proposals for larger class sizes, and on paying for high school students to take college-entrance exams and dual-credit college classes.

Sen. Nicole LeFavour, D-Boise, challenged Luna’s assertion that research has found no correlation between class size and student achievement. “That in fact is not true,” LeFavour said. “Research hasn’t found that it’s the greatest factor or the only factor. … But the same great teacher with a very large class or a very small class, or even with some degree of difference, really will see a difference in those students.” JFAC Co-Chair Dean Cameron asked LeFavour to refrain from making comments, to reserve today’s time for questions.