The following Policy Guideline is designed to replace Informational Policy Memorandum (IPM) 81, issued March 17, 1995.
Section 5002(1)(b) of the Education Law states in part that ". . . the commissioner shall set forth in regulation standards governing all of the following: . . . the standards and the methods of instruction; . . ."
Section 126.4(a) of the Commissioner's Regulations states in part that "the commissioner shall approve the appropriate student-to-teacher ratio for each course or curricula. Schools shall ensure that student enrollment on the attendance register does not exceed the approved ratio after the first week of instruction."
To provide adequate instruction to students enrolled in trade, allied health, appearance enhancement, business, ESL, and online curricula, the Bureau uses the following student:teacher instructional ratios as guidelines in approving curriculum.
THEORY CLASSES FOR THE FOLLOWING CURRICULA:
- Allied Health and Appearance Enhancement and Trade Programs - Ratio 20:1
- Business and Trade Programs - Ratio 20:1
- Distance Education (online or hybrid) - Ratio 20:1
- English As a Second Language Programs
- Beginning Ratio - 15:1
- Intermediate Ratio - 20:1
- Advanced Ratio - 20:1
- All Others – Ratio 30:1 unless specified on the curriculum approval letter.
SKILLS CLASSES FOR THE FOLLOWING CURRICULA:
- Advanced Computer Programming/Applications (Online or Classroom Based) Ratio - 20:1
- Appearance Enhancement, Business, and Trade Programs - Ratio 20:1
- BPSS Approved Allied Health Programs - Ratio 20:1
- Home Health Aide Theory and Skill 20:1. Theory may have a ratio up to 30:1 if the school can provide prior documentation to their field associate, and receive approval, demonstrating that the school can schedule two skills classes of no more than 20 students per class, with two independent instructors.
- Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide Theory and Skill 15:1. Theory may have a ratio up to 30:1 if the school can provide prior documentation to their field associate, and receive approval, demonstrating that the school can schedule two skills classes of no more than 15 students per class, with two independent instructors.
INTERNSHIP CLASSES FOR THE FOLLOWING CURRICULA
- Home Health Aide Internships Ratio – 3:1 in all settings except hospitals, where it can be up to 1:10 in rooms with multiple patients.
- Nursing Assistant/Nurse Aide Clinic (Internship) Ratio - 10:1
- All Other Internships Ratio – 10:1
The above ratios are the maximum number of students per teacher for selected areas of study. Ratios for other specialized areas will be set based on a review of the curriculum. Student-to-teacher ratios for all curricula/courses are set based upon the content of the course, recommendations of outside evaluators, and, where appropriate, safety issues. When assigning students to a class, student-to-teacher ratios, equipment availability, quarters approval, and local inspection approvals must be taken into consideration. The lowest number of students identified based on these considerations shall be scheduled for a class.
The commissioner may, at their discretion, approve instructional ratios which vary from these guidelines, provided that a written educational justification outlining unique qualities of a program and why student learning will not be negatively affected by a higher ratio, is provided and approved. Such a variance cannot be granted for Nurse Aide, Home Health Aide or any other Allied Health training. An on-site review may be conducted when higher student-to-teacher ratios are requested to verify the written justification.