Abstract

Paper
The Geography of California School Closings
Track: GIS for Administration, Planning and Policy
Authors: J. M. (Mike) Pogodzinski

School closings have occurred nationwide in response to shifts in population, financial problems of particular school districts, consolidation of districts, and economic issues in particular regions. This paper examines the geography of school closings in California. The focus of the paper is on the relationship between school closings and underlying demographic factors in the immediate vicinity of the school, the economic factors in the region containing the school, and financial factors affecting the district. The paper examines the cycles of school closings in California based on data from the California Department of Education.
The geography of closings is compared to demographic changes and demographic projections with a view toward determining whether closings are an appropriate response to demographic shifts. Likewise, the paper examines the equity implications of closings: are disadvantage groups affected disproportionately by closings?