by KYW's Dr. Marciene Mattleman
Millions of students are returning to public schools this week. However, in some urban areas, enrollment is low as students have left for charters, private and parochial schools and suburban districts with open enrollment.
State funding is based on enrollment-- typically $5000 to $8000 per student. Those districts then, are losing funding and some risk closure according to The Wall Street Journal.
Several school systems have resorted to radio ads, infomercials and direct mail campaigns. Others have made pitches at churches, redesigned logos, placed ads using positive quotes from kids who have stayed and invited neighbors for special dinners.
In Washington, D.C. public schools, enrollment in 1970 was 150,000 kids; today it’s less than 50,000. In San Antonio, numbers have declined 25% in the last decade and in Pittsburgh, the enrollment has dropped 25% in the last ten years.
St. Louis has experienced a plunge of 40% in its schools and has set aside $1 million to boast about a top-ranked high school and magnet programs. As a result, some educators have become public relations experts.
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