The purpose of this study was to research the effects of declining enrollments on instructional programs and supervisory practices. A review of the literature in part 1 indicates a lack of empirical studies of instructional program effects, compared to other areas of education. Part 2 discusses a survey of 320 school districts across the country…

The role of the university in providing leadership to a changing society is discussed. It is proposed that the university has a limited but important purpose of learning and teaching, scholarship and research, and that seeking to lead or change or improve the world should be done only within the setting of education. Although individuals can act…

Significant changes in various demographic patterns include a declining birth rate, regional shifts from the "Snow Belt" to the "Sun Belt" as well as a return to rural America, an increase in female labor force participation, a general change in family structure ("kids with kids," single parent families, unmarried couples, etc.), and changes in…

Two questionnaires were sent to all school boards and a sample of teachers in Ontario to assess how receptive boards and teachers are to job sharing as an alternative work pattern in schools affected by declining enrollment. The report gives the background of the concept of job sharing and an analysis of the benefits, work situations, and problems…

The Denver (Colorado) Board of Education has taken a number of steps to avoid closing schools. Among these are refiguring school capacities; providing full-time space for programs that do not always function full-time; providing additional private space for related services (psychological, social work, and nursing); expanding instructional…

This paper reviews the legal aspects of declining enrollments in school districts and the resultant problems of reducing the teaching staff. It suggests that school administrators and boards of education become familiar with their state tenure statutes or have access to competent legal counsel who specializes in that area of law, make decisions to…

In the past, educators have based their decisions on an assumption that schools would continue to grow in enrollment and resources. Educational literature too has focused on developmental and growth assumptions. Such assumptions may no longer be valid, as educational organizations are being confronted by problems of retrenchment and decline. This…

The Seattle School District has experienced a steady enrollment decline over the last decade or more. Yet even when total revenues and revenue dollars per child are expressed in 1967 dollars, it is clear that the number of dollars spent per child on education is increasing. This is partially because it is not possible to reduce staff members as…

The documents and articles annotated here offer many suggestions for developing closure criteria, planning, maintaining public and staff goodwill, and finding ways to use or dispose of school facilities. Examination of this material shows that techniques for school closure are not subject to great debate, but that failure to recognize and use them…

The board of education's policies concerning the action to be taken in regard to small elementary schools takes into consideration aspects of both educational quality and cost. The following factors will be considered in assessing the future of elementary schools: actual and projected enrollment, long-range need for elementary school facilities in…

The last public White Paper acknowledged that teacher numbers can no longer be tied strictly to pupil-teacher ratios as school rolls decline, if the different needs of pupils are to be met, and a sufficient range of specialist teachers employed to maintain a full curriculum. (Author)

The author believes that, although there are negative aspects to the declining school enrollment in the primary schools in England (e.g., teacher redeployment, teacher unemployment, school closures), this phenomenon could give rise to a higher general standard of living and better educational opportunities for all. (KC)

Reviews the politics of school finance reform during the early- and mid-seventies, and suggests possible future developments in the years ahead. (PKP)

Traces the development of undergraduate history courses at the university level. Notes that history has declined from a broad field of interest, which provided perspective to students majoring in other disciplines, to a field of increasing fragmentation and specialization. Contends that this reflects the interest of the faculty rather than student…

The financial plight of private colleges and universities in the face of inflation and declining enrollments is examined, with emphasis on serious problems at specific institutions. The likelihood of many closings is addressed, and innovative solutions to problems of student financial aid and fund raising are described. (LBH)