Cedar Rapids public schools are under performing

I have been following the news regarding the Cedar Rapids Community School DIstrict. It always interests me when the district recommends school closures as a way to balance the budget. Then I here that enrollment has been declining for a period of ten years. That is long before the parental choice program went into effect. So, there must be other reasons for the decline.

According to the Iowa Department of Education website, I find a number of reasons for the decline. Of the 30 schools in CRCSD, 15 are listed as targeted meaning they are under performing. When schools under perform parents tend to send students to schools that are performing or at least meeting standards. In general terms the CRCSD is under performing by roughly 10% in math, language arts, science, and graduation rates.

Schools are selling the education product, therefore competing for customers. When a poor product is being offered, customers look for other options. So, it appears there are issues other than declining enrollment. Those issues land directly on the leadership and school board. When looking at the numbers it doesn't take a doctorate to figure it out. I am sure there are many great teachers in the CRCSD. I question the leadership. Sadly, they failed to recognize the problem five years ago and now want to upset families and the community with school closures and not address the big problem.

Don Yoder

Kalona