Question 1

What does the student-to-teacher ratio tell me?

Accepted Answer

The student-to-teacher ratio is the number of students divided by the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) teachers. Lower ratios generally mean smaller class sizes and more individual attention, though the ratio does not directly equal class size since teachers have planning periods and may teach specialized subjects.

Question 2

What types of staff are included?

Accepted Answer

School staff includes classroom teachers, special education teachers, instructional aides, counselors, administrators, librarians, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and support staff. The staffing breakdown shows how the district allocates its workforce across these roles.

Question 3

Where does school staffing data come from?

Accepted Answer

Staffing data is reported annually by school districts to the state Board of Education as part of the School Report Card. It includes full-time equivalent counts, teacher qualifications, experience levels, and salary information.

West Des Moines, IA

School Staff — 2024i