Teachers in high-needs areas are more likely than their counterparts in resource-abundant schools to use curriculum from the previous year, according to a new report. It's up to education leaders to help close the gap.
On a national scale, the data indicates there has been a 0.62% decline in public school enrollment over the last decade. By 2030, according to a new report, there will be an additional drop of more than 5% if current trends continue.
About 833,000 fewer students enrolled in public schools in fall 2021 than had been predicted, with the most surprising drops occurring in middle school, according to the latest data, foretelling a drop in the number of high school graduates and, subsequently, college freshmen.
Despite ongoing reports of teacher shortages, superintendents are having to make tough personnel decisions as COVID-era budget surpluses turn to post-pandemic shortfalls that have been compounded by enrollment declines.
"Transformation in education is happening, which is almost a counter-narrative to what we hear," says Amy Dujon, director of the District Administration Leadership Institute and co-author of a new report, "Exploring New Frontiers For K-12 Systems Transformation."
Moves to private schools, homeschooling, and a reduction in the school-age population, are a few of the factors behind the pandemic-driven declines. But that's not the whole story.
The last few years showed us that it's time to embrace flexible learning environments, like online, blended, and hybrid learning, because they empower parents and students to take control.
