School Consolidation

1. School Consolidation By: Alexander Laws Marla Grubb Mauricio Melara Nydia Lee Taquan Pace Brittney Dodson

2. What is consolidation • School consolidation is the process of dissolving or reorganizing one or more schools or school districts into one new unit. • There are arguments for and against consolidation of schools. • Consolidation of small schools has frequently been used to try and achieve cost savings and to improve the quality of education. The loss of a school has a significant impact on the future of a community. Demographics of a school can make it a candidate for closure.

3. Video: consolidation Economics and Education • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2GY3wBg3F8 • Economics and Education: -Smaller schools cost more to operate because they are spread out and require their own transportation programs. -Consolidating the small schools into one larger school by enlarging the school district and expanding transportation efforts will save the most amount of money. -But the concern by most parents and educators is whether kids will learn more productively in larger or smaller environments.

4. The Facts: Why Consolidation is Good • Consolidating schools saves money by capitalizing on space and transportation. • Francis Lewis High School in Queens, New York, is one of the top ranked schools in the city. The school offers a wide range of electives such as forensics, psychology, bioethics, genetics research, and pre-law. The one thing this school doesn’t offer is space. Francis Lewis has more than 4,600 students enrolled, in a building designed to fit 2,000. Cathy Arnst, a parent and teacher, posts, “the cramped quarters do not seem to harm the quality of education, or enthusiasm of the students for their school. Which makes me wonder- why do so many of us believe small schools and small classrooms are better?” • Consolidators believe that the correct mix of great teachers, innovative administrators, involved parents, and enthusiastic students makes a successful school.

5. The Facts: Why Consolidation is Bad • According to the Department of Education, schools of over 1,000 or more students experience 825 percent more violent crime, 270 percent more vandalism and 1,000 percent more weapons incidents, compared to those with fewer than 300 students.(Stacy Mitchell) • Small schools in Vermont cost more to run than larger schools, but they are worth the investment because of the value they add to student learning and community cohesion.(newrules.org) • Smaller schools offer the opportunity for students to develop a more intimate relationship with their educators, which can often be crucial to a students success. • Consolidating schools can create long commutes from home to school. • In smaller schools, students come to class more often, drop out less, earn better grades, participate more often in extracurricular activities, feel safer, and show fewer behavior problems.(Debra Viadero)

6. Class poll: • Consolidation Good Total: • Consolidation Bad Total: The following slides are for result of class poll.

7. Help us hit the target! We all know what’s Right Eliminate Consolidation

8. Help Save Money and Get Our Schools on Track! Join Together, Consolidate Schools!

9. Citations: • Stacy Mitchell: “Is School Consolidation a Good Idea” http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smallschools/message/442 • “Vermont Decided to Fund Small Schools Rather Than Close Them”: http://www.newrules.org/equity/versmall.html • Debra Viadero: “Smaller is Better” http://www.edweek.org/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=13small.h21&keywords=Research%3A%20 • Cathy Arnst: “Big Schools May Not Be So Bad” http://www.businessweek.com/careers/workingparents/blog/archives...