Education Statistics & Thumbnail Facts: School size not saving Detroit schools form chopping blocks - Economies of scale

Welcome to Citizens for Better Schools WHAT'S NEW: Ala Ed Budget Crisis - State Takes Fed Stimulus Funds Then Cuts State Funding REGISTRATION NOW OPEN: Brown Past 50 SympoSIUM and Education Workshops SCHOOL TAKEOVER CORNER: BIRMINGHAM * DETROIT * SAINT LOUIS School Size and Grade Structure Contact Citizens for Better Schools Education Statistics & Thumbnail Facts: School size not saving Detroit schools form chopping blocks - Economies of scale B'ham Superintendent Search: Edgecombe County - Birmingham City Schools NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND REAUTHORIZATION UPDATE PAGE - NOW OPEN BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL CLOSING WATCH: MORE SECRET MEETINGS 2007-2008 BIRMINGHAM SCHOOL CLOSINGS (HERE WE GO AGAIN - "DOWN SIZING, RIGHT SIZING, or CAPSIZING" ) Alabama School Districts Without One Month Reserve Fund More Busing in Birmingham With School Consolidations ALA'S #1 PROBLEM: TEACHER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT Blog Ala's Biggest Problem - Teacher Sexual Misconduct BIG SPENDERS - MOST COSTLY SCHOOLS NOT SMALL SCHOOLS The late Henry Sparks made Birmingham the financial envy of the state's education system Education Finance, Economics, & Budget Monitoring Despite Free Space in SomeSchools, Many Packed Classrooms(How are Birmingham Classrooms?) Class Size Comparison Changes For Parents - The Classroom Effects of Closing & Consolidating Schools COMING SOON: ** THE CHOICE: SCHOOL ZONING, BIG SCHOOLS - SMALL SCHOOLS (WHICH EDUCATES THE POOR BEST?) CLASS SIZE REDUCTION Education Research on School Size: School Climate and Academic Achievement Evidence Based Consequences of Increased School Size Curriculum and Instruction BIRMINGHAM CITY SCHOOLS DECLINE: THEFT IN SCHOLS - INTERNAL CONTROLS LACKING Worhtless BOE Guidelines and Frame Work For Superintendent Stan Mims, Lay Citizen Advisory Task Force (BOE Policy 6170) Sabotaged In Education: Big Is Not Better - Research Finds Small Schools Better for Poor and Black Students Links About Birmingham City Schools The Good Common School Journal Thumbnail Facts: Birmingham Enrollment/ Teacher Loss Not Cause of $22 Million Bham BOE Losses Anniston Citizens for Better Schools FAIRFIELD CITIZENS FOR BETTER SCHOOLS Jefferson County (Alabama) School System: Sylacauga Citizens for Better Schools Citizens For Better Schools: Education Management and Leadership Special, Exceptional, and Gifted and Talented Education GOLD FACULTY - BROWN PAST 50 WORKSHOP: BEYOND NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND - FULFILLING THE PROMISE OF BROWN Contact Your School, State, and Federal Representation Here! Favorite Links: Legal Resources - College Funding Opportunity ALL SPORTS Birmingham - ALL THE TIME GENDER EQUITY: Public Schools, Segregated Schools? Phillips Academy - Crisis in Student School Bus Transportation WE ARE "HOKIES" TOO! Topic Index: BREAKING SCHOOL CLOSING NEWS ** Citizens for Better Schools Guest Book

Thumb Nail Stats

NCLB REAUTHORIZTION_2007 EDUCATING SPECIAL NEEDS STUDENTS: In 2005, only 6 percent of eighth graders with disabilities performed at the proficient level or above on the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in reading, compared with 33 percent of eighth graders without disabilities. In addition, large numbers of students with disabilities continue to be excluded from states’ assessments and accountability systems. Improving the educational quality for the growing number of American students with disabilities is critical. Reauthorization of NCLB can effectively meet this daunting task.

Aspen Institute: No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Statistical Data"

http://www.aspeninstitute.org/atf/cf/%7BDEB6F227-659B-4EC8-8F84-8DF23CA704F5%7D/NCLB_Charts.pdf

Clean restrooms at your school?

92: Percentage of public school principals in 2005 who said the cleanliness and maintenance of student restrooms were satisfactory or very satisfactory.

87: Percentage of principals in 2005 at public schools with 75 percent or more students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch who said the cleanliness and maintenance of student restrooms were satisfactory or very satisfactory.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, "Public School Principals Report on Their School Facilities: Fall 2005"

As Birmingham's superintendent and board of education contemplate closing more schools and cutting support staff (custodians and lunchroom workers), how clean will your child's school become? Will sufficient staff be maintained to keep buildings clean and sanitary with a reduced work force?

Birmingham schools by the numbers!

Data Source:
Arthur Watts, Assistant Superintendent for Finance
Birmingham City Schools
Total Operating Expense for all Birmingham School Buildings
FY 2005-2006:      $19,726,503.  The total operating budget for 14 Birmingham schools slated for closing was just over $4 million dollars.
$19.7 million for operations is well within the $30 million dollars in OCE (Other Current Expense) funds the Alabama State Department of Education gave Birmingham to operate City schools in 2005-2007. The BOE chose to use OCE for other unnecessary personnel items, according to Craig Pounce on last Wednesday.
Had the BOE adopted the Shiver Staffing Audit Plan (cutting 76 central office administrators) over $4 would have been saved this year.
Total Operating Revenue form State OCE        $30 Million
Total Birmingham Operating Expense               $19.3 Million
OCE State Funded Balance                                $12 Million

The "Pouncey/Mims-Volkert/Wasmund" school closing plan wants to "up-size Birmingham's elementary schools to "save money." The size of the school isn't saving Detroit schools being considered for closing, as this Detroit Free Press interactive web site shows: http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070324/NEWS01/70324012/1003/NEWS01

Education Statistics & Thumbnail Facts: School size not saving Detroit schools form chopping blocks - Economies of scale

Thumb Nail Stats

Birmingham schools by the numbers!

Equal Education and Equal Opportunity: �From Sea to Shinny Sea!"