This policy briefing provides a summary of the academic research on the benefits and drawbacks of state-led efforts to encourage, or require, school districts with low enrollments or density to consolidate. Consolidation of school districts has existed throughout the 20th century.
Between 1940 and 2013, the number of school districts in the United States decreased from approximately 117,000 to approximately 14,000. This policy briefing also summarizes Vermont’s school district consolidation efforts with a specific focus on the content and impact of Act 46, passed in 2015, and Act 49, passed in 2017.
Citation
Connecticut School Finance Project. (2017). The Research on District Consolidation and Vermont's Recent Efforts. New Haven, CT: Author. Retrieved from https://schoolstatefinance.org/resource-assets/Research-on-District-Consolidation-and-Vermonts-Efforts.pdf.