"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


• 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


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%


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



SURVEY RESULTS



GENERAL INFORMATION


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


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?”


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?”


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?”



THE IMPACTS OF SCHOOL CLOSURES


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.


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?"


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.



PREVENTION OF SCHOOL CLOSURES


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?


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.


Education

"School Closures" Survey Results