Section 511IAC1-8-7. Approval of use of instructional aides in computation for funding

   (a) The state board of education shall approve the counting of classroom instructional aides as teachers for purposes of computation for funding under 511 IAC 1-8-4 [511 IAC 1-8-4 expired under IC 4-22-2.5, effective January 1, 2008.] and 511 IAC 1-8-4.5 [511 IAC 1-8-4.5 expired under IC 4-22-2.5, effective January 1, 2008.] or the negotiation of transfer tuition agreements between school corporations under IC 20-26-11-13(h), if the school corporation can substantiate each year that providing adequate classroom space for the attainment of an average pupil/teacher ratio of eighteen to one (18:1) in kindergarten and first grade and twenty to one (20:1) in second and third grade creates an unreasonable hardship for that school corporation. On or before August 1 the school corporation shall submit to the state board of education a plan concerning that school corporation's instructional aides program.

  (b) The use of aides shall not be approved unless the school corporation has, insofar as practical, reduced its average pupil/teacher ratio through the use of teachers.

  (c) The number of aides that shall be approved for purposes of funding under 511 IAC 1-8 is equal to the lesser of:

(1) the number needed to attain the number of full time teacher equivalents computed under 511 IAC 1-8-4(a)(1) [511 IAC 1-8-4 expired under IC 4-22-2.5, effective January 1, 2008.] and 511 IAC 1-8-4.5(a)(1) [511 IAC 1-8-4.5 expired under IC 4-22-2.5, effective January 1, 2008.]; or

(2) the number of kindergarten, first, second and third grade classes in the school corporation.

(Indiana State Board of Education; 511 IAC 1-8-7; filed Aug 28, 1984, 10:56 am: 7 IR 2523; filed Sep 4, 1985, 2:47 pm: 9 IR 35; readopted filed Oct 12, 2001, 12:55 p.m.: 25 IR 937; errata filed Jul 11, 2005, 10:00 a.m.: 28 IR 3306; readopted filed Nov 28, 2011, 3:20 p.m.: 20111228-IR-511110558RFA)