Facility Utilization

November 16, 2005 Meeting

Date:November 16, 2005

Dr. McCoy was asked to present a brief review of the research on grade spans and grade configurations.  Listed below are the notes Dr. McCoy distributed to the committee.

Research Findings

• “Research has not provided definitive answers to the myriad possible questions about grade span…. (Paglin and Fager, 1997)
• Most of the data is qualitative and not quantitative in nature.
• Very little research has been done at the elementary level on grade spans
• Most of the research on the grade spans have been done at the middle school level
• Each time there is a transition to a different building, there is a drop in academic performance.  This academic drop is not permanent but is generally recovered in the next year. (Alspaugh, 1999)
• The research on “best” grade configuration is inconclusive (Clearinghouse on Early Education and Parenting)
• The size of the individual class, the quality of the instructor, and the quality of the principal have the greatest impact on student learning.
• At best, the research indicates factors to be considered in deciding a community’s configuration of grades within its elementary schools.

 

Single grade configuration –

Advantages (Reents, 2002)
§         Allows development of programs specific to the needs of that age group
§         Less influence by older students on younger students
§         Possible to increase course offerings

Disadvantages (Hopkins, 1997)
§         Distance and/or length of student travel may increase
§         May increase the number of school transitions
§         Fewer opportunities for interaction between age groups

Considerations - (Hopkins, 1997)
§         Cost and length of student travel
§        Possible decrease in parental involvement
§         The number of students at each grade level
§         Whether the neighborhood schools will continue to exist
§        The number of school transitions for students
§         Opportunities for interaction between age groups
§         Influence of older students on younger students
§         The building design -- is it suitable for only a few or for several grade levels?

 

Bob Monroe gave a brief review of school districts similar in size and quality to our district concerning their grade configurations.  Grade configurations are as follows:

§  PK-3
§  PK-5
§ K-3
§  K-5
§ K-8
§ 4-5
§  6-8
§  9-12

 

Mr. Meadows then gave a grade grouping report as requested by the committee.  The two scenarios requested to be looked at were:

Scenario 1	Scenario 2
Pre k	Pre K
K-1	K-2
2-3	3-5
4-6	6