The Unequal Effects of School Closings

🌈 Abstract

The article discusses the challenges faced by the Rochester City School District in New York, including declining enrollment, school closures, and the impact on students and families. It explores the factors contributing to the enrollment decline, such as the pandemic, flight to the suburbs, and the expansion of charter schools. The article also highlights the emotional and academic toll of school closures on students and the broader community.

🙋 Q&A

[01] The Kpor Family and School 10

1. What was Janice Kpor's involvement with School 10?

• Janice Kpor was the president of the parent-teacher organization at School 10, where her youngest child, Thomasena, was in kindergarten. Her middle child had also attended the school.
• Kpor was very engaged with the school and its community, and she was proud of the warm environment and strong ties the school had with the neighborhood.

2. How did Kpor's decision to enroll her other children in suburban schools through the Urban-Suburban program contribute to the enrollment decline at School 10?

• Kpor's decision to enroll her older children in suburban schools through the Urban-Suburban program, which allows students to transfer to smaller surrounding districts, was seen as part of the problem contributing to the enrollment decline at School 10 and other city schools.
• The Urban-Suburban program is criticized for drawing some of the most engaged families out of the city's schools, leaving a higher proportion of students with special needs or from disadvantaged backgrounds.

3. How did Kpor react to the decision to close School 10?

• Kpor was "in disbelief" and felt it was a "stab in the back" when she learned that School 10 was going to be closed, especially since the building had just been renovated.
• Kpor spoke up at a public forum, asking if Thomasena and her classmates would be given priority to enroll at the Montessori school that would be taking over the School 10 building.

[02] The Broader Context of School Closures

1. What are some of the broader trends and challenges facing public school districts across the country?

• Public school enrollment has declined by about 1 million students since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to factors like families switching to private schools, homeschooling, and students simply not being in school.
• Many districts, including Rochester, are facing significant enrollment declines, leading to school closures and disruption on a larger scale than before.
• School closures disproportionately impact majority-Black schools and can have negative effects on student attendance, achievement, and graduation rates.

2. How have the pandemic and remote learning impacted school communities and enrollment?

• Some parents pulled their children out of public schools due to concerns about the inadequacy of virtual learning or deteriorating classroom behavior after the return to in-person instruction.
• The prolonged school closures in Rochester and other districts contributed to the enrollment decline, as some families opted for private schools, charters, or homeschooling.

3. What were some of the challenges and concerns expressed by parents and teachers during the school closure process in Rochester?

• Parents and teachers expressed concerns about the disruption to their school communities, the loss of stability for students, and the lack of empathy from the district in the closure process.
• There were worries about students with special needs being dispersed and the overall lack of trust in the district's decision-making.
• Teachers at the closing schools were saddened to leave their "family schools" and the strong connections they had built with students and the community.