Facing a declining K-12 student population and rising education costs, Vermont lawmakers approved Act 46 in 2015. This legislation has the potential to consolidate school districts that have fewer than 900 students. The law aims to significantly reduce the number of districts in the state by using tax incentives as a carrot and forced…

Presents some of the arguments and reviews the research on small school districts. Based on experiences in Indiana, contends that consolidated school superiority is exaggerated. With proper planning and innovation, small schools can effectively share human, material, and financial resources. Eighteen references are provided. (MLF)

The national trend toward consolidating schools has been driven by numerous factors, including fascination with economies of scale. Although small schools can claim advantages arising from a more intimate, caring atmosphere, large schools can boast specialized faculty teaching more sophisticated curricula. There is no optimal school size.…

Examined relationship between 1983-84 Nebraska high school enrollments and program breadth and junior-senior high school enrollments and teacher endorsement rates. Concluded rural district reorganization/consolidation resulting in larger secondary grade enrollments would probably result in more course offerings but would not affect percentage of…

Professional educators may be behind the times in their thinking about school size. Many educational leaders mistakenly believe that large schools provide better learning environments at less cost than smaller schools. Actually, there are few conclusive before-and-after consolidation studies, consolidation does not seem to save money, and small…

One of 6 state reports of projects and programs operating in cooperation with the Regional Curriculum Project, the document highlights major topics discussed during a workshop relating to the reorganization of small school districts. The 5 major topics are "The Great Plains Project," which relates to planning for reorganization;…

Although 1951-1966 marked 15 of the most dynamic, hectic, painful, and questionable years of Iowa school district reorganization, 28 school district reorganizations have come about in the succeeding 15 years without a state law or Department of Public Instruction regulation mandating the elimination of certain kinds or sizes of local school…

The interval from 1930 to 1965 witnessed the disappearance of virtually all one- and two-teacher schools in 17 Southern and border states. Isolation and transportation difficulties prevent further consolidation of small schools in many of these states. A number of small schools still in existence are located in hospitals and correctional…

Presents information on trends in school district size, briefly considers the relationship between school size and student performance, discusses the rationale and consequences of consolidation of small and rural schools, and briefly outlines positive views on small schools. (IAH)

Discusses collaboration among small rural schools in Wales and how such collaboration is supported by the education authorities. Recent legislation led to the reorganization of Welsh education authorities and this, together with new demands and reduced resources, affected their support for small rural schools. Three models of school collaboration…

The trend toward bigness and consolidation continues unabated, driven by political, economic, social, and demographic considerations, rather than extensive research attesting to small schools' educational benefits. School size influences social interaction and degree of student alienation. We need to reclaim the small school's sense of community,…

Describes seven school downsizing models adopted by school districts in several states to create small schools and schools-within-schools, including inadequacy of "policy by exception." Discusses policy-related challenges of schools-within-schools and small schools. Argues that state and school district policies and structures need to support, not…

There is no strong empirical base to support the assumptions and assertions of school and district consolidation advocates. This article reviews and analyzes this body of evidence and discusses why consolidation has been so popular even in the absence of solid and reliable supporting evidence. (Author/MLF)

The impetus for more school closures lies in declining school enrollments in many rural areas and promises of cost efficiency, more academic options for students, and higher test scores. The latter benefits remain a matter of debate. Busing is controversial result of school consolidation, both in terms of expense and time. Rural school advocates…

Argues that removing children from their rural sphere is detrimental to students and the community. The largest obstacle among many is a "second best" attitude toward rural education. Schools and policymakers should change this attitude and work for realizing potentials of rural education. (ALL/GGH)