A new report from the Brookings Institution has sounded the alarm on the state of public education in America. According to their analysis of national enrollment data, thousands of school districts are at risk of closure due to a “massive” loss of students.
The report, which was also informed by The 74’s reporting, revealed a staggering decline in elementary and middle school enrollment. In fact, one-fifth of all students at these grade levels have disappeared from the system.
The most troubling part of this trend is that it shows no signs of slowing down. The Brookings report projects that enrollment will continue to decline throughout the decade, with states like Oregon, New Mexico, and West Virginia expected to see a decrease of at least 10%.
But it’s not just small, rural districts feeling the strain. Large metropolitan cities like Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Albuquerque have also seen a decline of 20% or more in student enrollment. Even Southern states like Tennessee, Georgia, and Texas have not been spared from this crisis.
Colorado public school enrollment is still declining, hitting decade-low numbers https://t.co/lWccoSIKbB pic.twitter.com/wbignXR4zq
— FOX31 Denver KDVR (@KDVR) January 17, 2024
One district feeling the financial squeeze is San Francisco Unified School District. With enrollment dropping by 4,000 students since 2012, the district is facing a severe budget crisis and a shortage of staff. It’s no wonder families are choosing to leave for private schools and charters, as the quality and stability of public education continues to decline.
This is one of the many reasons public school enrollment is rapidly in decline. BUSD’s enrollment is down 2,114 in 10 years.
“California AG warns schools that outing transgender students violates state law”
Parents’ rights are rapidly being eliminated.https://t.co/or3EKjC4sV
— Burbank Republican Party (@BurbankGOP) January 15, 2024
But while traditional public schools are struggling, charter schools are on the rise. According to a separate report, charter school enrollment has grown by 9% over the past four years, gaining over 300,000 new students. This is in stark contrast to district-run public schools, which lost 1.5 million students at the start of the pandemic and have yet to recover.
Many factors have contributed to this decline in public school enrollment, including record-low birth rates and high living costs in certain areas. But the pandemic has certainly played a significant role, as families have been forced to adapt to remote learning or opt for alternative forms of education.
The public school system is an indoctrination center for liberal ideas. Our schools no longer teach.
People leaving blue states due to high cost of living.
All dem driven.
Thousands of schools risk closure due to ‘massive’ enrollment loss: new reporthttps://t.co/8pGCoUBZUJ
— republicanolatino (@republicanolat) January 18, 2024
For those families still in the public school system, the consequences of this enrollment decline are dire. School districts are being forced to make budget cuts, lay off staff, and merge classrooms. Extracurricular activities and programs that benefit students are also being sacrificed in the name of budget constraints.
In the end, it’s the students who suffer the most from this decline in public education. As the quality of education continues to deteriorate, their future prospects are also at risk. It’s time for policymakers and educators to take a hard look at the root causes of this crisis and find solutions to support and improve our public schools. Our children’s futures depend on it.
