The Aftermath of School Closings in Chicago: How Staff and Students Experienced the Transition to New Schools

• In Event: 34.071 - Educational Opportunities and Culture Across Time and Space

Abstract

Across the country, school districts are electing to close under-enrolled schools to consolidate resources and move students into better performing ones. Motivated by fiscal deficit, in June 2013 Chicago Public Schools voted to close 49 elementary schools – the largest mass school closure to date. Because not much is known about the experiences of those impacted directly by school closings, the purpose of our study was to investigate what happened to staff and students after transitioning to designated “welcoming schools.” We conducted in-depth case studies in six schools. Results showed that successful integration of displaced students and staff involves paying careful attention to rebuilding the trust and relationships lost from the closures in these school communities.

Authors

• Molly F. Gordon, University of Chicago

• Jennifer R Cowhy, Northwestern University School of Education and Social Policy Human Development and Social Policy

• Maria Luisa de la Torre, University of Chicago

• Paul Moore, Consortium on Chicago School Research