The report New Small Learning Communities: Findings from Recent Literature is similar to the Regina Public School Board’s research review in that it finds current research overwhelmingly supports smaller schools. Unlike the Regina report, though, which nonetheless recommends larger schools despite the findings, this report makes a strong recommendation:

“Research conducted over the past 15 years has convincingly demonstrated that small schools are superior to large ones on many measures and equal to them on the rest (Raywid, 1996; Cotton 1996). Indeed, noted small school researcher Mary Anne Raywid (1999) has written that the superiority of small schools has been established “with a clarity and at a level of confidence rare in the annals of education research” (1).”

If you’re interested specifically in high school size, the paper School Reform and the No-Man’s Land of High School Size by Tim Gregory of the University of Indiana looks at findings dating back to the 1970s and concludes: “A large and increasingly consistent body of research suggests that we should be moving, not toward larger high schools, but expeditiously toward smaller ones.”

Gregory’s paper specifically looks at the ‘cost cutting’ mentality that fuels school consolidation, and finds that big schools are not necessarily cost efficient:

“More recent literature fails to even support the generalization that big high schools cost less than small high schools. Stiefel, Berne, Iatarola, and Fruchter (2000)2 reviewed many of these recent studies of school costs (Chabotar 1989; Watt, 1980; Callan and Santerre, 1990; Kumar, 1983; Bee and Dalton, 1985 (all as cited in Stiefel, et al. (1998, 2000)) and found the consistency of early studies (small is more expensive) not in evidence…Recent output studies, including Stiefel and her colleagues, have been less likely to assume that bigger is necessarily better.”

The article Small Schools, Real Gains, which appeared in the Journal Educational Leadership in 2001, discusses the problem of policy makers ignoring the data on small schools. In the U.S., it was tragedy that turned the corner for policy makers. “During the past two years…shootings at large high schools have made people realize that the structures, daily routines, and impersonal relationships of large schools have created cultures where significant numbers of students are unengaged in the life of the school and alienated from adults and one another,” the authors write.

As a result of these concerns, many U.S. school districts are actively engaged in downsizing their schools. After years of corporate-speak about consolidation, efficiencies and cost-cutting, a new realization has dawned, best summed up in this vision statement from Portland Public Schools:

"Imagine our public schools being transformed and reshaped to better serve our students, our community and our future. Imagine the following:

• Schools as the centre of community.
• Schools that recapture partnerships and collaboration across institutions and businesses.
• Reinvestment in cherished older neighbourhoods.
• Redeveloping antiquated facilities.
• Schools that capture the essence of sustainability."
  

Conway concludes that the School Board should shelter small schools from closure, particularly in disadvantaged areas, and should pursue a 10-year plan to ensure our high schools have less than 500 students, and our elementary schools less than 300.

Finally, parents interested in preserving and promoting smaller schools in Regina should send their comments to: . This is absolutely crucial – don’t just think about it, do it!

And those interested in forming a coalition to fight closures should contact

Elementary Schools Slated for Merger or Closure - Inner City, North East targetted

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