HB1200 • 2026

RELATING TO TEACHER TO STUDENT RATIOS.

Education

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: REYES ODA, MATSUMOTO, OLDS, PERRUSO, PIERICK, POEPOE, TODD
Last action: 2025-12-08
Official status: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text does not provide details on how schools will ensure adequate teacher support or prevent averaging of student-to-teacher ratios in compliance checks.

Rules for Teacher-to-Student Ratios

This bill sets rules for the number of students per teacher in Hawaii's schools to promote quality education.

What This Bill Does

Sets limits on student-to-teacher ratios based on grade level.
Requires schools to inform parents if changes to class sizes are needed.

Who It Names or Affects

Students in grades K-12
Teachers and school administrators

Terms To Know

Class size: The number of students in one class.
Student-to-teacher ratio: How many students there are for each teacher.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify consequences if schools do not follow the rules.
The bill has not yet been passed into law and is still being discussed.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-02-06 H
The committee(s) on EDN recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
2025-02-03 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by EDN on Thursday, 02-06-25 2:00PM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2025-01-27 H
Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 4
2025-01-23 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-22 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO TEACHER TO STUDENT RATIOS.
DOE; BOE; Student to Teacher Ratios; Class Sizes
Codifies the board of education's policy for class sizes to promote quality education and positive student-teacher interactions. Informs parents if changes to class sizes are needed.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1200

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1200

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO TEACHER TO STUDENT RATIOS
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

����
"
�302A-
�
��
Student to teacher ratios.

�
(a)
�
The department shall adopt the board of
education's recommended student to teacher ratios to promote quality
instruction and positive student-teacher interaction.
�
The optimal class size for department schools
is designated by the following student to teacher ratios:

����
(1)
�
Grades K-3
shall be or shall not exceed 20:1; provided that the maximum class size for grades
K-2 shall be or shall not exceed 25:1; and

����
(
2)
�
Grades
4-12 shall be or shall not exceed 26:1.

����
(b)
�
In
the event that these class ratios cannot be met, schools must notify parents
and guardians for the rationale of any changes.

����
(c)
�
In
determining compliance with this section, schools shall not average student to teacher
ratios based on total student enrollment and total teachers.
�

����
(d)
�
The department shall implement this policy to ensure that instructional
personnel and other staff are allocated in a manner that is educationally
sound, instructionally appropriate, informative to parents and guardians, and consistent
with available funding.
"

����
SECTION 2.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 3.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

DOE; BOE;
Student to Teacher Ratios; Class Sizes

Description:

Codifies the board of education's policy for class sizes
to promote quality education and positive student-teacher interactions.
�
Informs parents if changes to class sizes are
needed.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.