1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 3 and NRS 388.700, the State Board shall establish by regulation the maximum pupil-teacher ratio in each grade, and for each subject matter wherever different subjects are taught in separate classes, for each school district of this State which is consistent with:

(a) The maintenance of an acceptable standard of instruction;

(b) The conditions prevailing in the school district with respect to the number and distribution of pupils in each grade; and

(c) Methods of instruction used, which may include educational television, team teaching or new teaching systems or techniques.

2. If the Superintendent of Public Instruction finds that any school district is maintaining one or more classes whose pupil-teacher ratio exceeds the applicable maximum, and unless the Superintendent finds that the board of trustees of the school district has made every reasonable effort in good faith to comply with the applicable standard, the Superintendent shall, with the approval of the State Board, reduce the count of pupils for apportionment purposes by the percentage which the number of pupils attending those classes is of the total number of pupils in the district, and the State Board may direct the Superintendent to withhold the quarterly apportionment entirely.

3. The provisions of this section do not apply to a charter school, a university school for profoundly gifted pupils, a program of distance education provided pursuant to NRS 388.820 to 388.874, inclusive, or a challenge school.

(Added to NRS by 1967, 890; A 1969, 444, 1173; 1971, 288; 1973, 1423; 1979, 1586; 1989, 1814, 2105; 1991, 1547; 1993, 2156; 1997, 1860; 1999, 3306; 2001, 1483, 3143; 2003, 1136, 3214; 2005, 1667; 2007, 1200, 1988; 2013, 1602; 2015, 1129, 3806; 2019, 1978) — (Substituted in revision for part of NRS 387.123)