Schools and urban sprawl
A 2009 study on children and urban sprawl released by the Vanier Institute on the Family is critical of school planning decisions that increase the distance between students and schools. “Neighbourhood schools where children can walk or bike independently offer many of the features children want in a high quality living environment,” writes author Juan Torrez of the University of Montreal’s Institute of Urbanism.
The Case for Small Schools
This article appeared in the journal Education Canada in 2007 entitled "Cohesive Communities, Improved Outcomes: The Case for Small Schools."
It was written by academics at the University of Victoria and Simon Fraser University, and represents a Canadian take on much of the recent American research you might have seen.
Click here to open document (1.37MB) (pdf)
People for Education - Ontario
Ontario's People for Education maintains web pages on school closures at http://www.peopleforeducation.com/schoolclosings
Of interest, the Ontario Ministry of Education has guidelines for school closures that demand school boards first follow a Social Evaluation Framework to assess the school's social and economic value to the community and to students, and to determine how the school fits into broader government objectives of community-building. This type of research within set guidelines has never been done in Saskatchewan, but it is something worth pushing for at both the local and provincial level. It is interesting that Ontario's provincial government has the good sense to lay out some rules to protect the rights of families and communities in the process, rather than simply washing their hands and looking away.
Small Schools Get Results
Chicago Public Schools have undertaken a major project to promote small schools. Their website is full of information and research that details the advantages of neighbourhood schools.
Rural Schools
The Nebraska-based Centre for Rural Affairs has provided a website that contains useful information to help rural schools make the argument against closure.
Centre for Rural Affairs - Rural Schools
National Clearing House for Educational Facilities
Faced with schools that were failing students, the State of California targeted funds toward class size reduction. This report evaluates the findings.
http://www.classize.org/techreport/CSR_Capstone_prepub.pdf
The Theory Behind Small Schools
Information about the benefits of small schools from the American Association of School Administrators.
Schools cycle back into the heart of the neighborhood
The Oregon transportation board and school boards are working together to bring schools back to neighbourhoods. Smaller parking lots, bigger green spaces and close neighbours and parents are the new goal.
Critical issues report on neighbourhood schools.
School Size
Does school size matter: A SOCIAL CAPITAL PERSPECTIVE is based on comprehensive research collected by reasearchers at Simon Fraser University.
National Clearing House for Educational Facilities: Smart Growth and Schools
http://www.edfacilities.org/rl/smart_growth.cfm
A comprehensive library of academic papers and planning documents relating to schools and communities. Topics include the "dollars and sense" of small schools, the importance of walkable schools, and the true cost of increased bussing.