Policy Implications for Social Justice in School District Consolidation

The pressures of a nation-wide decline in educational funding coupled with the increase in demands for accountability has renewed legislative discussion about the efficacy of school consolidation. This national survey of school superintendents who have experienced school merger, explored the effects of consolidation on school communities, students, staff, and administrators. The findings support previous research on the economic, curricular, and programmatic effects, but expand the discussion by exploring how consolidation impacts social justice. The article concludes that school consolidation armay enhance opportunities for in-school social justice but diminish community social justice through the devolution of small communities.