School Closures and Student Achievement
May 4, 2015Abstract/body: A new study from the Fordham Institute takes on the issue of school closures (Carlson and Lavertu, 2015). Of all the school turnaround strategies, school closures, is the most challenging and controversial choice available to reformers. School closure is considered the “nuclear” option for improving a failing school, it is also the least commonly employed route (Stuit, 2010). Given the trauma experienced by a community when a school is closed it is not surprising that it rarely happens. This option is viable if there is evidence that this intervention can make a positive difference for students. This study examines the effectiveness of this practice by reviewing school closure from a group of Ohio’s biggest urban districts.
Deven Carlson and Stéphane Lavertu (2015). School Closures and Student Achievement An Analysis of Ohio’s Urban District and Charter School. Thomas B. Fordham Institute.
Stuit, D. A. (2010). Are bad schools immortal? The scarcity of turnarounds and shutdowns in both charter and district sectors. Thomas B. Fordham Institute.