School Choice in MA

[sal1181]

Originally Posted by alidmc

The sending town only pays a max of $5,000 per student. The receiving district covers the gap in per pupil cost. This amount is set by the state. I live in a town that participates in school choice, but has reduced the amount of choice students because the amount the sending district pays is so low.

Another con with school choice is that is not a sure thing. You can apply, but your child may not get in and you may be stuck sending your kids to your home school district. So while it is a good option for parents, you definitely need a back-up plan.

this is why I'm glad my town does not participate in school choice. We should not
have to cover additional expenses for out of district students.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by alidmc

The sending town only pays a max of $5,000 per student. The receiving district covers the gap in per pupil cost. This amount is set by the state. I live in a town that participates in school choice, but has reduced the amount of choice students because the amount the sending district pays is so low.

Another con with school choice is that is not a sure thing. You can apply, but your child may not get in and you may be stuck sending your kids to your home school district. So while it is a good option for parents, you definitely need a back-up plan.

Really, still??? They were paying that amount quite a few years ago. If it hasn't gone up since, well then they need to adjust that I think.


Still, in my own example; I was in a town that spent over $11,000 per student. While they were receiving around $5000 per student that choiced in, it was still considered a money maker for the district. Remember they receive an additional amount in Chapter 70 state $ per student. As school choice had been declining, it was a major cause for concern. Let's say one year there is a net loss of 10 students. Not counting state money, they lose $50,000. Where are they going to cut $50,000 from the budget? Those 10 students are all likely different grade levels. They cannot eliminate a teacher. The buildings do not shrink any, same maintenance costs... Maybe save on a few books at the most, but they are not going to trim $50,000 from the budget without negative consequences. Of course there are scenarios where it is different, ie. that one extra student is "just enough" to put them over the district's maximum-class-size threshold. I'm talking general though.

[alidmc]

Originally Posted by massnative71

Really, still??? They were paying that amount quite a few years ago. If it hasn't gone up since, well then they need to adjust that I think.


Still, in my own example; I was in a town that spent over $11,000 per student. While they were receiving around $5000 per student that choiced in, it was still considered a money maker for the district. Remember they receive an additional amount in Chapter 70 state $ per student. As school choice had been declining, it was a major cause for concern. Let's say one year there is a net loss of 10 students. Not counting state money, they lose $50,000. Where are they going to cut $50,000 from the budget? Those 10 students are all likely different grade levels. They cannot eliminate a teacher. The buildings do not shrink any, same maintenance costs... Maybe save on a few books at the most, but they are not going to trim $50,000 from the budget without negative consequences. Of course there are scenarios where it is different, ie. that one extra student is "just enough" to put them over the district's maximum-class-size threshold. I'm talking general though.

It really is a numbers game every budget season because the $5000 is additional money until you have to start hiring additional staff. The school district has to look at enrollment and factor in how many choice students to allow without having to hire additional teachers, etc. Then, of course, there is no guarantee that the admitted choice students attend, as many apply to several different schools.

The $5,000 cap has not increased in many years from what I understand.

[massnative71]

Originally Posted by alidmc

It really is a numbers game every budget season because the $5000 is additional money until you have to start hiring additional staff. The school district has to look at enrollment and factor in how many choice students to allow without having to hire additional teachers, etc. Then, of course, there is no guarantee that the admitted choice students attend, as many apply to several different schools.

The $5,000 cap has not increased in many years from what I understand.

It is a numbers game to an extent, I think "real world impact" would be a more on par term.






Let's say you have a school system with 2000 students that takes in a net of 100 school choice kids (that's 5% of the student body, a pretty significant amount).


Divided by 12 grades, to simplify it say there are 8 classes per grade (let's say just over 20 per class). 100/8 rounds to 8 choice students per grade on average, which averages to one extra student per classroom. I think it's realistic and generous to assume one out of 3 grades will require an additional teacher. That is 4 new teachers for 12 grades. And let's say $80,000 in personnel costs for those 4 teachers, which is an extra $320,000 in expenses. But the district would gain an additional $500,000 from the sending district, not counting state aid.


Of course there are too many variables to discuss here, and we could go on with hypothetical situations all day long. But I maintain that in most scenarios (considering the greater efficiencies in larger systems); even with that archaic formula, the receiving district will make out better in the end.

[mdovell]

There has to be some better way of doing this really. Metco works but it hasn't been expanded. Why not have it in Brockton, Lawrence, Fall River etc. Charter is not the only form of competition.

Sadly students are becoming a commodity in this. Charter voted down, vocational being blocked by superintendents, online schools not being utilized etc. Everyone wants their children educated but not everyone knows the process or costs of doing so.

[massnative71]

North Attleboro to explore school choice | Local News | thesunchronicle.com

School-choice might be one solution to declining enrollment and falling revenue, incoming Superintendent Scott Holcomb says - and soon, school committee members and a task force will look into the program to see if that's true.

[mdovell]

Reminds me of one argument that could help charter schools is that if they are really considered private then allow them to court international students. International students are limited to one year in public schools but there is no cap for private schools.

[kudzutoo]

Originally Posted by sal1181

Agreed with CaseyB. We cannot spend additional money to educate kids from out of town.

When students go to another town via school choice, the state funds for those students go with them to the new town.