"At recent Schools of Tomorrow Implementation Committee (STIC) meetings, parents, students and community members requested greater transparency. They expressed deep concerns about the impacts of these decisions and demanded policy decisions be guided by evidence. As an education researcher seeking to bring more evidence into education decision-making, I was impressed by the clarity of the public's demand."
"SJUSD claims closures are necessary due to declining enrollment. As a basic aid district, property taxes - not per-student state allotments - drive the budget, making closures a choice, not a necessity. School closures can be associated with negative outcomes that persist for years, including academic achievement, postsecondary education and workforce outcomes."
"The district needs to conduct a systematic review of research on school characteristics that impact students' achievement, well-being, mental health and safety. This synthesis could be used to build a framework that identifies characteristics most likely to lead to improved student outcomes."
San Jose Unified School District proposes closing up to nine elementary schools under its "Schools of Tomorrow" initiative, framing the closures as necessary due to declining enrollment. However, the district has not clearly communicated or substantiated how these closures connect to its vision of developing future thinkers, leaders, and creators. Parents, students, and community members have demanded greater transparency and evidence-based policy decisions at implementation committee meetings. As a basic aid district, SJUSD's budget relies on property taxes rather than per-student state funding, making closures a policy choice rather than a necessity. Research indicates school closures can produce negative long-term outcomes affecting academic achievement, postsecondary education, and workforce results. The district should conduct systematic reviews of research on school characteristics impacting student outcomes before proceeding with recommendations.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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