Governor’s 2005-06 Budget Summary
pages 66-67

K thru 12 Education

School Size Reduction

National studies have documented that small schools offer advantages over large schools. Smaller schools often produce higher academic achievement, particularly for minority and poor students. In addition, students in small schools have better attendance and graduation rates, fewer discipline problems, greater participation in extracurricular activities, and higher student and parent satisfaction levels than their peers in large schools. Given these findings, it is concerning that enrollment in California's school sites has grown significantly over the last decade. Currently, enrollment in the State's five largest elementary schools ranges from 2,000 pupils to 2,700 pupils, enrollment in the five largest middle schools ranges from 3,150 pupils to 4,300 pupils, and enrollment in the five largest high schools ranges from over 4,800 pupils to 5,300 pupils.
 

Promoting Smaller Learning Environments

The Administration seeks to convert the State's largest elementary, middle, and high schools into smaller learning environments or schools-within-schools. These smaller learning environments will provide a more effective learning experience and the opportunity for students and teachers to develop closer relationships. The Administration intends to pursue these changes through the School Facility Program and also by making resources available for technical assistance and planning purposes.
 

School Facilities Program Incentives

Legislation signed in the last session, Chapter 894, Statutes of 2004 (Assembly Bill 1465), requires the State Allocation Board to set aside $20 million in bond funds, beginning January 1, 2006, to be used to fund a pilot program for the construction of small high schools (fewer than 500 pupils) located in large districts. These funds will be used to increase the School Facilities Program's current per-pupil grant amounts by 20 percent as an incentive for districts to participate in the pilot program.
 

Technical Assistance and Planning

The Office of the Secretary for Education will work to develop partnerships with foundations and the private sector to promote the use of small learning environments. Through these efforts, the Administration hopes to promote an awareness of the benefits of small learning communities and make technical assistance available to school districts to aid in the implementation of a small schools approach.

66 Budget Summary 2005-06