The COVID-19 pandemic drastically disrupted the functioning of U.S. public schools, potentially changing the relative appeal of alternatives such as homeschooling and private schools. Using longitudinal student-level administrative data from Michigan and nationally representative data from the Census Household Pulse Survey, we show how the…

Jerome B. Jones, superintendent in Providence (Rhode Island), explains why a return to K-8 grade organization may solve this city's declining enrollment and other educational problems. (JM)

This article looks at the educational implications of the declining birth rate in England and Wales. It outlines the major issues which arise (school reorganizations, pupil/teacher ratios, teacher redeployment, and grade organization), considers the factors affecting these issues, and examines the sources of decision-making power on each. (SJL)

This task force in Hamden, Connecticut, discovered an intricate relationship among declining enrollment and finances, buildings, community impact, and educational impact. Their study resulted in nine conclusions and recommendations. (1) We will recommend to the board of education criteria, procedures, and timetables for closing a school. (2)…

This overview of the literature on school district reorganization: (1) cites four reasons for reorganization; (2) gives two statistics on projected declines in student enrollment; (3) presents factors to be considered during the process of closing a school; (4) lists six administrative leadership skills needed during the school closure process;…

During the 1981-82 school year, the American Association of University Women (AAUW), collected mathematics data from school districts throughout the state of Michigan. AAUW is involved in a study of high technology and wanted to find out how education is preparing young people for the world of robotics, biotechnology, telecommunications, and the…

Various aspects of public education in Portland, Oregon, since 1950, are reviewed in this document. Past enrollment trends, the current decline in enrollment, and the demographic distribution of that decline are described. Possibilities for future enrollment are examined based upon assumptions about future fertility and migration trends. In…

The essays in this book emphasize trends now shaping society that the authors believe will have a profound effect on schools in the decades to come. Topics covered include declining enrollments and increasing educational costs, the changing role of vocational education, government financing for educational quality, the role of busing, politicking…