You have been hired as a consultant to the Alpha School District, a neighbor of Omega School District. Twenty years ago, Alpha School District was known as the state’s premiere school system. But for the past 10 years, Alpha’s test scores have been declining—very little at first but somewhat noticeably in the last 2 or 3 years. By comparison, Omega School District, a suburban area on the Alpha’s outskirts, now

headlines in the papers as the state’s “Best School District.” Alpha failed to make sufficient academic progress last year.
Both Alpha and Omega school districts have adequate fiscal capacity, but effort has been declining in Alpha while increasing in Omega. Omega’s starting teacher salary now outpaces Alpha’s starting salary. Alpha School District is willing to spend money on its schools if they have a good, research-based plan. Given the data in Table 11.1, what suggestions would you offer the new superintendent of Alpha School District to improve achievement? Justify your answers

Transcribed Image Text:

TABLE 11.1 Data Sheets for Alpha and Omega School Districts Student enrollment Percentage of students on free or reduced-price lunch Number of schools Average building age Starting teacher salary Mid-point teacher Alpha School District 25,000 12% 2 high schools, 3,800 students each 4 middle schools, 1,450 students each 14 elementary schools, 825 students each 34 years $37,000 $45,000 Omega School District 25,000 6% 3 highs schools, 2,500 students each 5 middle schools, 1,150 students each 20 elementary schools, 575 students each 9 years $42,500 $57,500 salary (13 years and master's degree) Maximum teacher salary (25 $55,000 $65,000 years and master's degree) Student-teacher ratio: Grades K-3 23:01 Grades 4-5 24:01 16:01 20:01 Grades 6-8 24:01 21:01 Grades 9-12 23:01 20:01 Per pupil expenditure $9,000 $13,500 Per capita property value $225,000 $175,000