Materials from WSSDA Presentation Titled, "Consolidation of School Districts: What Does the Research Say and What Is Happening In Washington State"

The following materials were distributed during this session that was held on November 20, 2009 in Seattle at the WSSDA Annual Conference:

• PowerPoint Presentation
• Small Schools Conference Mini-summit on Consolidation Talking Points Flyer
• Research Brief: Graduation Rates- Rural Schools in Washington State
• JLARC Study – PowerPoint
  

School Consolidation Mini Summit PowerPoint shown at WASA Small Schools Conference March 3, 2009

Rural Schools Consolidation Update

Many of you have expressed sincere and significant concerns over the following statements made by our governor:

“It's time for us to see a new path forward.  And that is the challenge before us, that is the opportunity before us." Gregoire said she's included a request for the state to study the viability of school consolidations in her budget proposal.  While working on that budget, she said, advisers told her "you cannot utter the word 'consolidation.'  Well, I am uttering the word 'consolidation,' "Gregoire said Wednesday. "I don't get it. I don't get why we have 50 (schools) that have less than 150 students. "Instead of several small schools with distinct staff, equipment and budgets, the public-school system should use "technology and transportation" to combine educational efforts and save money.  Community and technical colleges already have shown that online learning can be effective, Gregoire said.  Young people, she said, are adept at using new technology, "but we're still a book and a teacher. There's a new and a better way to do things."

Below are some research links on school consolidation that provide overwhelming evidence that small school districts are cost-effective and that forced consolidation often does NOT produce the economic savings that are often assumed.  It is interesting to note that a recent report from the Massachusetts Association of Schools Superintendent’s Small and Rural School District Task Force (attached) makes the following statement: “The most powerful rationale for consolidation is economic efficiency followed by increased curricular offerings. However, neither of these rationales have any strong support in research.”  The report than sites numerous research students that, over the past 50 years, show that over time, consolidation has not resulted in any significant savings in per-pupil costs.

For more information on research studies and articles on consolidation issues, please check out the following link:

The Rural School and Community Trust Website Link to Research on Consolidation:

www.ruraledu.org/search.php?kw=consolidation

Here are some other resources for you:

Fiscal Impacts of Consolidation Research Findings

Massachusetts Report On Effectiveness of Small Districts

Dollars & Sense Research on Small Schools

Rural Teacher Retention Study Completed! Despite the perception that urban school districts have the most trouble holding on to quality teachers, a recent study has shown that rural school districts also face challenges attracting and training experienced, quality educators. In particular, beginning teachers move out of rural districts at a rate higher than their counterparts statewide. With support from the Center for Strengthening the Teaching Profession, researchers at the University of Washington School of Education recently conducted a retention and mobility study of teachers in rural Washington public schools. Although there is some national research on rural school districts, this is the first major study of small and rural Washington state schools. Key findings include: Overall teacher retention rates in small and rural districts are similar to districts statewide. New teachers in small and rural districts move out of their district at somewhat higher rates than their counterparts statewide. Twenty percent of novice teachers in the small and rural districts change district compared with only 12 percent of novice teachers statewide. Teacher retention rates are particularly low in Central Washington schools (Chelan, Douglas, Kittitas, Yakima, and Klickitat). A full copy of the report can be found on the CSTP website. To view the press release click here.

The Rural Education Center (REC) was established in 1987. The idea of the REC came out of a Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA) Small Schools Committee. The need for a research based service organization had been discussed for many years.

The College of Education at Washington State University and a group of small school districts decided to make an effort to work together. The original concept was then developed by Brian Talbott, who at the time was Superintendent of ESD 101, and Dr. Ray Smith, with advice and encouragement from WASA's Small Schools Committee.

Originally the major task for the REC was the development of a database on a variety of subjects. It consisted of financial reports, staffing and program information. The first years were spent compiling and sharing studies on subjects of interest to small schools such as, Cooperation vs. Consolidation, In-Service needs, Small School formula, Student Course selection, Drop-out rates of Small Schools and many others.

As the Directorship has changed so has the focus of the Center. To date the Center has become an increasingly important voice at the State level for small schools. State associations and legislative bodies hold the Center in high regard when asked for information on issues affecting small schools across Washington.

The Rural Education Center is located in the Davenport School District.  Davenport is a small and rural town located in Eastern Washington. The REC has a strong partnership with Washington State University’s College of Education. The REC is committed to providing assistance to small and rural districts throughout the state of Washington. It is the hope of the Board of Directors of the REC that this newly “remodeled” website will provide small school districts with timely and relevant information that will help each district cope with the ever-increasing demands of state and national reform efforts.

Our Current Members are:

Organizations:

AWSP                         

ESD 101

ESD 105

ESD 112

ESD 113

ESD 123

North Central ESD

OSPI

WSSDA

School Districts: