Download - "School Closures" Survey Results
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K
SCHOOL CLOSURES SURVEY
March 2013
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
• Survey sent to educators on March 27, 2013
• 1,452 educators responded
– 61% (886) teachers
– 13% (188) administrators
– Educators working in rural, urban, and suburban schools
– Educators working in elementary, middle, and high schools
– Educators with years of experience in education from 1 year to 21+
Methodology
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
Demographics
Professional Position
AdministratorTeacherOther
13%61%26%
Years of Experience
1st Year2 to 5 Years 6 to 10 Years11 to 15 Years16 to 20 Years21+ Years
1%11%18%19%17%34%
School Environment
UrbanRuralSuburban
44%27%29%
School Type
Elementary (K-5)Middle (6-8)Secondary (9-12)
51%20%29%
Percent of Students Classified as Title I
10% Title I20% Title I30% Title I40% Title I50% Title I60% Title I70% Title I80% Title I90% Title I100% Title I
6%5%7%4%8%8%13%13%18%15%
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
Key Findings
• 21% of educators state that school closures have affected their school
• 72% of educators believe school closures are an ineffective way to overcome budget shortfalls
• Around the country, 68% of schools are experiencing a budget shortfall
• Educators suggest reducing after-school programs to make up for the budget shortfalls rather than closing schools
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K
SURVEY RESULTS
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K
GENERAL INFORMATION
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
Only 21% of educators state that school closures have affected their school during the previous school year, while 1 in 3 educators’ districts have been affected.
Yes No0%
100%
21%
79%
34%
66%
Have recent school closures affected your school/dis-trict?
SchoolDistrict
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
Of the educators who said school closures have affected their districts, 58% responded that the closures impacted their school.
No Yes0%
100%
42%
58%
“If your district was affected, was your school?”
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
72% of educators state that school closures are an ineffective way to alleviate budget problems.
Effective Ineffective0%
100%
28%
72%
“Are school closures an effective solution to alleviate budget shortfalls?”
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
55% of educators currently reside in a district or system that is facing a budget shortfall.
Other
Implement Educator Pay Cuts
Reduce In-School Programs
Reduce After-School Programs
School Closures
Increase Teacher Workload
Cut Classroom Supply Budgets or Other Expenses
Increase Class Size
Reduce School Staffing
4%
8%
8%
8%
10%
11%
15%
17%
18%
“What possible solutions have been discussed to make up the shortfall?”
No Yes0%
100%
45%
55%
“Is your district or system facing a budget shortfall?”
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K
THE IMPACTS OF SCHOOL CLOSURES
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
Only 5% of educators report ever working in a school that was permanently closed.
No Yes0%
100% 95%
5%
“Have you ever worked at a school that was permanently closed?” Of schools that permanently
closed, 39% had more than 9 out of 10 students classified as Title I.
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
44% of educators report teachers were given an opportunity to provide feedback on the decision of whether or not to close the school. 20% of administrators said teacher feedback had an impact on the decision of whether of not to close the school, but only 4% of teachers agreed.
Yes No0%
100%
57%
43%36%
64%
"Were teachers given an opportunity to give feedback or suggestions on the decision to
close the school?"
Administrator
Teacher
Yes No0%
100%
20%
80%
4%
96%
"Did teacher feedback ultimately have an impact on the closure?"
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
16% of educators have worked at a school that received students from a school that was closed.
Yes No0%
100%
16%
84%
“Have you ever worked at a school that received additional students from an-
other school that closed?” 2 in 3 (67%) responded that this created a negative impact on student performance.
7 in 10 (70%) responded that the additional students had a negative impact on school culture.
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K
PREVENTION OF SCHOOL CLOSURES
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
Rather than closing schools, educators suggest reducing after-school programs or classroom supply budgets to alleviate budget shortfalls.
Increase Teacher Workload
Implement Educator Pay Cuts
Reduce School Staffing
Increase Class Size
Other
Cut Administrator Positions/Salary
Reduce In-School Programs
Cut Classroom Supply Budgets or Other Expenses
Reduce After-School Programs
3%
3%
10%
10%
12%
13%
13%
14%
22%
What can be done other than closing schools?
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013
No Yes0%
100%
27%
73%
32%
68%
Would you be willing to take a larger class size to keep schools in your school or district from closing?
SchoolDistrict
2 in 3 educators would take a larger class size to keep schools in their district from closing, and 3 in 4 said they would if their own school were closing.
S C H O O L I M P R O V E M E N T N E T W O R K March 2013