Consolidation is not for rural schools

Rural schools, among others in Iowa, are being hit hard by budget cuts, declining enrollment and the country's economic distress. The demands of education, for both educators and students, continue to increase while the funding decreases. What is the answer for smaller, rural schools - consolidation?

I don't think so.

Money is the driving force behind consolidation, which often does not benefit the children, the community or the economy in the long run. Small schools have advantages.

According to the National Rural Education Association Report, 2006, “Students in small schools have an advantage in areas of achievement, attitude toward school, social behavior problems, extracurricular participation, feeling of belonging, interpersonal relations, attendance, dropout rate, self-concept and success in college among others.”

Consolidation looks at the cost per student. How about looking at it as cost per graduate? Smaller schools graduate more of their students. Larger schools have a higher incidence of dropouts, who are more likely to be unemployed, receive government assistance or spend time in prison than graduates.

Really, do we want to save a few dollars today, so we can spend more tomorrow, trying to rehabilitate our society?

Sandy Hoogland

Springville