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Programs and courses also cut
In addition to making cuts in program support areas, districts continue
to make cuts in programs and services themselves. For example, more than
one-half reduced the total number of courses offered and reduced programs
for gifted and talented and at-risk students. In addition, more than 40%
reduced the number of extracurricular offerings; reduced courses in art,
music, theater, and vocational; and reduced summer school programs.
The percent of districts making cuts in seven program and course areas is shown below.
Superintendents say caps have a negative effect on hiring and retaining
staff
When asked about the effects of the revenue caps on their district's capacity
to attract and retain quality staff, 60% percent answered "negative"
or "very negative." As for retention, 56% also responded "negative"
or "very negative."
The concern about attracting and retaining staff is not unexpected, given that so many districts took actions last year that have the combined effect of discouraging both existing and potential employees:
In general, the percent of districts taking action in each of the eight
areas listed above has increased in recent years. Four examples are shown
in the table below: increased administrator workload, teacher lay-offs,
lay-offs of teacher aides/support staff, and increased workload for teachers.
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Percent of districts taking action in four
areas
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Action
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1999-2000
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2000-2001
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2001-2002
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| Increased administrator workload |
63%
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66%
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74%
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| Teacher layoffs |
42%
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50%
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67%
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| Layoff of aides/support staff |
45%
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54%
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66%
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| Increased teacher workload |
49%
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56%
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61%
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Specific cuts identified by superintendents
Superintendents were asked to list specific examples of some significant
cuts in programs or services that had been made in their districts. The
most frequently listed examples were business education and family and
consumer education (named 31 times), specialized services (27 times),
core academic subjects (25 times), and technology classes and technology
support (23 times).
Districts Unable to Meet Professional Development Needs
Districts continue to reduce professional development programs in order
to comply with the revenue caps. This was done by 60% of districts in
1999-2000. By 2000-2001, the figure had increased to 72%, while last year
71% of districts report offering fewer staff development opportunities
for teachers.
Clearly, superintendents are concerned about what is happening to professional development programs. At a time when schools are being held increasingly accountable and teachers and administrators are expected to meet higher standards, district support for professional development is declining. It's important to keep in mind that many districts have been making cuts in professional development since 1994, meaning that the effects have been cumulative.
In addition to asking about professional development in general, the current study asked superintendents about three specific types of professional development.
83% say that the revenue caps will have a negative effect on their district's efforts to train/prepare staff for implementation of the new licensure rules (e.g., mentoring, released time for coaching or collaboration, training of professional development teams, etc.).
83% believe that the revenue caps will have a negative effect on their
district's capacity to fully implement all requirements of the newly passed
Elementary and Secondary Education Act, including student testing.
59% report that the revenue caps have had a negative effect on their district's attempts to improve teachers' knowledge and skills in subject/content areas.
Superintendents support two-thirds funding but want changes in Act
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Superintendents are not satisfied with the current system of school funding,
especially the major provisions related to the revenue caps. Only a small
percent (9%) favor keeping the revenue caps law unchanged, while 33% favor
outright repeal. Although 81% of superintendents want the state to keep
its commitment to two-thirds funding, they do not believe that the revenue
caps law should continue in its present form.
Eighty-three percent also agree with the statement, "Change the revenue caps law to allow school boards greater flexibility to exceed the caps." Likewise, nine in ten superintendents favor allowing districts to increase spending by 1 or 2 percent without having to pass a referendum.
Finally, 92% of superintendents also want districts to have the option to increase spending for maintenance of facilities without having to pass a referendum.
Posted March 10, 2003