The Color of School Closures
Posted on: Tuesday April 23rd, 2013
Mass school closings have become a hallmark of today's dominant education policy agenda. But rather than helping students, these closures disrupt whole communities. And as U.S. Department of Education data suggests, the most recent rounds of mass closings in Chicago, New York City and Philadelphia disproportionately hurt Black and low-income students.
What can you do to end these discriminatory and unacceptable school closures?
- Share this infographic with your friends on Facebook and Twitter – start the conversation in your community!
- Send us your stories and data about closings in your district.
- Learn about alternatives that support students rather than close school doors on them.
There is no evidence to suggest that school closures work. Despite what policymakers say to justify these mass closures, reports have shown that the majority of student who are affected do not get placed in high performing schools. And though closures are often touted as a way for districts to save money in tough economic times, those savings often fail to materialize and can in reality cost taxpayers millions in hidden costs.
What is the alternative to closing schools? Evidence-based policies that provide students, schools and communities with the opportunities and resources they need to succeed, including:
- Wraparound academic, health and social services to help struggling students get back on track
- Recruiting, training and retaining high-quality teachers in every classroom
- Equitable school funding systems so that those who face the toughest hurdles receive the greatest resources
- Universal high-quality pre-K so that all students start school ready to learn
- Expanded learning time, including after-school and summer programming
- Turning schools into community hubs that provide expanded services to both students and community members
For more information, check out this report from Communities for Excellent Public Schools, "A Proposal for Sustainable School Transformation."
Here are just a few of the many groups organizing against school closures in the cities highlighted in the infographic. If your organization is doing anti-closures work, let us know and we'll add it!
- Chicago: Kenwood Oakland Community Organization
- New York: Coalition for Educational Justice
- Philadelphia: Philadelphia Student Union
- National: Journey for Justice
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Map: 40 percent of closed schools now privately run
Admission types
Performance
Management
Even though CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett has pledged that no charter schools will go into school buildings vacated this year, the concern over the possibility has been raised so much in some quarters that it has risen to the level of a conspiracy theory.
The basis for this: It has happened in the past, even as recently as this school year, when the shuttered Lathrop Elementary reopened as KIPP Ascend Primary. Of the 75 schools that have been closed, consolidated or phased out over the past 12 years, 40 percent (30 schools) are run by private operators under CPS contract, 40 percent by the district and 15 are either vacant, have been demolished, now house private schools or are used as district administrative offices.
The basis for this: It has happened in the past, even as recently as this school year, when the shuttered Lathrop Elementary reopened as KIPP Ascend Primary. Of the 75 schools that have been closed, consolidated or phased out over the past 12 years, 40 percent (30 schools) are run by private operators under CPS contract, 40 percent by the district and 15 are either vacant, have been demolished, now house private schools or are used as district administrative offices.
The fate of all the schools that have been subject to some action, whether closure or turnaround, gives a glimpse into what can be expected this year as CPS embarks on what is expected to be the largest number of closures ever. Byrd-Bennett has said she has no exact number in mind, but reports have indicated officials are considering closing as many as 100 schools considered under-utilized.
An analysis of school closings and other actions found that:
An analysis of school closings and other actions found that:
- Fifteen percent of the replacement schools (those located in buildings where either closure or turnaround has occurred) were rated “Level 1” by CPS, the highest performance level, according to the most recent data. Thirty-two percent were rated “Level 3,” the lowest rating CPS gives, and 20 percent did not have enough data. When looking only at closed schools turned into new schools, 45 percent were level 3.
- Closings and turnarounds have disproportionately affected African American schools on the West and South Sides. Humboldt Park and the Near West Side had the most, followed by Grand Boulevard. South Chicago had the third most school closings.
- Closings are clustered around former Chicago Housing Authority developments.
- Almost all of the schools that closed were neighborhood schools with attendance boundaries. Now, half of the replacement schools admit students by either lottery or test scores.
CPS spokeswoman Becky Carroll has said the point of this round of school closings is to shrink the district’s “footprint.” However, district officials say they will continue the expansion of charter schools.
This year, new charter schools are being put in neighborhoods that have overcrowded schools and those in need of “quality” schools--which could be the same neighborhoods where schools are closed.
CPS officials also have yet to announce which schools, if any, will be turned around this year, a process in which most or all of an entire staff is replaced. In the past, 65 percent of turnaroundshave been managed by the not-for-profit Academy for Urban
