School Information System

Capacity: Fair to Compare?

Might I recommend this link for a comparison of actual vs. projected enrollment for MMSD since 1990: http://www.madison.k12.wi.us/boe/longrange/actual_v_projected_enrollment.pdf

If you take a close look at this data; you will notice that projections by the administration have not been too far off. Using the total registration number may not be a fair comparison. We cannot simply compare numbers without details in '95 to what is happening 10 years later. Projections are much more important in that they are what is used to set budget costs so we have appropriate information fed into the budgeting process. As well the BOE has not stated there is an increased number of students enrolled. What they have said, is the ‘type’ of student population we have has changed dramatically with 42% of our children from low income homes; a number of English as a second language and special needs children; all with regulated standards and mandates needing to be fulfilled. It is my understanding that if we were to simply receive the funding we are promised for ESL and special need children, we would not have a budget crisis. Unfortunately, the no child left behind is not working well nor is it being funded properly.

SAGE (reduced class sizes for reading and math) was instituted in 2000 and 2001 for the majority of our schools; a few - Glendale, Midvale, Lincoln, Mendota and Hawthorne - had it a few years earlier. Glendale was the first in 1995 or 1996. There are also a few schools where, in the last few years, we have put "SAGE-like" staffing (because the state had no more SAGE money). As of today, only 3 schools do not have reduced class sizes: Van Hise, Elvehjem and Kennedy. Maintaining SAGE within our public schools is very important for many families; smaller class sizes however do contribute to a need for more space and more facilities.

Also a contributor to the lower student population since the mid-90's, was the decision to incorporate a variety of incomes into all our Madison schools; providing a social reality to life in our city and a blend of many cultures. However, many families chose to move to other school districts or to attend private schools. I believe, "Madison citizens are rich in the educational choices for their family and all children. It is rare within our nation to have both public and private school success like we experience every day."

Posted by Marisue Horton at May 13, 2005 09:22 AM | TrackBack
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