Large School Districts: What Does the Research Say?

Many people will ask what are the benefits of smaller school districts. Frequently, they bring up arguments for large districts and/or district consolidation like economies of scale. But a deeper analysis reveals that large school districts are not good for students or communities. "Researchers have long known that school-district size matters" according to AmericanProgress.org.

Here are some of the unique challenges facing large school districts that can negatively impact the quality of education:

1. Administrative Complexity

   According to the Education Commission of the States, districts over 50,000 students experience a "diseconomies of scale" (also see the AmericanProgress.org study). This can lead to inefficiencies and a slower response to the needs of students and schools. They claim that the sweet spot for school district costs is more than 25,000 students, but less than 50,000. A 2022 Performance Audit of Public Education Administrative Costs in Utah that found that "some of the lowest administrative costs per student are among midsize and large districts (i.e., those with student counts of 10,000 to 20,000 students)".

   
   Managing a large school district involves significant administrative complexity and, as The Social Science Journal states, "significant inefficiencies exist in large districts". As the number of students, teachers, and staff increases, so does the need for extensive bureaucratic processes to handle everything from budgeting to curriculum development. On the contrary, smaller districts are easier to manage, with less bureaucratic red tape. This can lead to quicker decision-making and more effective implementation of educational policies and practices.

2. Lower Equity and Funding

   Large school districts often encompass diverse communities with varying socioeconomic backgrounds. This can lead to significant disparities in educational resources and outcomes between schools in affluent areas and those in lower-income neighborhoods. Urban.org notes that "Research has shown that smaller school districts tend to be better funded, leading to improved educational outcomes."

3. Reduced Community Engagement

   In large districts, it can be challenging for parents and community members to engage meaningfully with school administration. The distance—both physical and metaphorical—between district leaders and individual schools can make it difficult for parents to voice their concerns and for schools to tailor their approaches to community needs. We see this in district consolidation, but it can also be seen in districts that grow rapidly over a short time - especially if the growth is not balanced over all areas.
   
   Smaller school districts tend to foster stronger connections between schools and their communities. This increased engagement can lead to higher levels of parental involvement and more community support for schools.

4. Lower Student Achievement

   Multiple studies have repeatedly found that "large school district size is detrimental to achievement ... in that it strengthens the negative relationship between school poverty and student achievement." Another study considering district consolidation concluded that "increasing district size has a negative effect on student achievement" and that "total district enrollment is negatively correlated with student achievement across all tested grade levels." This multi-state study found that smaller sized schools and districts "reduces the negative influence of poverty on school and district performance by as much as 70%."

   A California study also found that reducing school district size could be potentially important to educational reform. "Controlling for characteristics of the student population and other environmental factors, including class and school size, district size appears to hinder educational achievement, having its biggest impact on middle school student performance.

5. Bigger Districts = Bigger Schools

   “Smaller, more intimate learning communities consistently deliver better results in academics and discipline when compared to their larger counterparts. Big schools offer few opportunities to participate.” –  J. Matthews, Education Reporter, Washington Post

   A Clemson University study found that "school district size is the most significant factor in determining school size with consolidation/reorganization plans generally resulting in larger schools." While other studies then show that "small schools have very strong advantages" in safety, teaching conditions, academic performance, culture of connection and inclusiveness, learning choices and curriculum. And article from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance asserts that "one of the most effective ways to improve student achievement and curb school violence is to reduce the size of the nation’s schools."

Smaller districts can improve administrative efficiency, enhance equity, foster greater community engagement, and ensure better resource allocation. As such, policymakers and education leaders should consider the potential advantages of restructuring large school districts to better serve their students and communities.