School Consolidation and Transportation Policy: An Empirical and Institutional Analysis

Abstract

DOCUMENT RESUME RC 022 552 Killeen, Kieran; Sipple, John School Consolidation and Transportation Policy: An Empirical and Institutional Analysis. A Working Paper. Revised. Rural School and Community Trust, Randolph, VT. 2000-04-24 53p.; Some figures may not reproduce adequately. For full text: http://www.ruralchallenge.org/publications.html. Reports Research (143) MF01/PC03 Plus Postage. *Consolidated Schools; Costs; Educational Equity.(Finance); Elementary Secondary Education; Institutional Environment; *Institutional Survival; *Rural Schools; Rural Urban Differences; *School District Spending; *School Districts; Small Schools; State School District Relationship; *Student Transportation This study examines the relationship between school consolidation and district transportation costs, effects on instructional expenditures, and institutional factors supporting consolidation. Data on actual student transportation costs across the United States indicate that despite widespread school and school district consolidation, transportation costs have increased, and transportation costs per child are greater in rural than urban school districts. Given the evidence that economy-of-scale arguments fail in rural school districts in terms of transportation costs, reasons beyond fiscal criteria must be driving consolidation. An analysis of the institutional environment shows how consolidation has been justified according to the exaction of state authority over local school districts, and has been supported through national policy towards housing and land use development. Institutional perspectives of organizational legitimacy and survival would not seem to justify consolidation, but consolidation always terminates some organizational form. Perhaps the organizational form of small schools and weak school districts makes them more susceptible to organizational death by other legitimacy-seeking organizations. It appears that higher transportation costs associated with extensive consolidation in rural areas constrain opportunities to fund quality instruction in rural areas. (Contains 44 references and 12 data tables and figures.) (TD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. School Consolidation and Transportation Policy: An Empirical and Institutional Analysis A Worldng Paper for the Rural School and Community Trust Policy Program www.ruralchallenge.org U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) 'his document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. Kieran Killeen John Sipple Cornell University Revised April 24, 2000 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY A. 6. re, vIN 05:,As TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC). 2 BEST COPY AVAILABLE