(a) The Legislative Oversight commission on education accountability shall conduct a study of the effect of limits on the number of pupils per teacher in a classroom. The commission may conduct the study as a whole or may appoint a subcommittee to conduct the study under its direction. The study includes, but is not limited to, an examination of the following issues:

(1) The effect on student learning of limits on the number of pupils per teacher in a classroom in elementary classes and in a middle school format in which students have different teachers for different subject matter instruction;

(2) The effect on the equity among teachers in a middle school in which the number of pupils per teacher in a classroom is limited for some teachers and not for others, including the additional pay for certain teachers in whose classrooms the limits are exceeded; and

(3) The effect limits on the number of pupils per teacher in a classroom have on the ability of school systems to offer elective courses in secondary schools.

(b) The Legislative Oversight commission on education accountability shall issue a report of its findings and recommendations, together with any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations, on or before January 2, 2003. In making its findings and recommendations the commission:

(1) Shall include, at a minimum, a recommendation on whether the limits on the number of pupils per teacher in a classroom in a middle school format should be removed or capped on a county-wide or individual school basis; and

(2) May not include as a recommendation consideration of imposing limits on the number of pupils per teacher at grade levels above the sixth grade.