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Private Schools Report Unused Space

Overcrowded Public Schools Should Consider Using It, Study Says

Fri., April 16, 1999

Unused classroom space in Michigan private schools could alleviate student overcrowding in public schools, making some new tax-funded school construction unnecessary, according to a study released in March.

The study, conducted in 1998 by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, surveyed 342 of Michigan's 1,058 privately funded schools and found that they could have accommodated over 55,000 public school students, or up to 3.3 percent of the Michigan public school total, without exceeding 1998-99 classroom space. The survey did not consider grade level when determining the amount of available space.

The study suggested that public schools could rent unused space from private schools, and that private schools have capacity to educate students who might migrate from the public system as part of school choice programs.

Michigan private schools displayed an overwhelming willingness to accept a greater proportion of the state's 1.7 million public school students. Only eight percent of surveyed schools indicated unwillingness or inability to accept more students. Typical of the respondents was Dr. George Locke of the Michigan District Lutheran Schools-Missouri Synod, which currently serves over 25,000 students.

"For over 150 years our schools have met both the spiritual and educational needs of congregations and communities in which they are located," Locke said. "And we're committed to continue to reach out to those communities as it is part of our purpose and mission."

Michigan private schools already save the school aid fund over $1 billion annually by educating 220,000 students who otherwise would require about $6,000 each in taxes to attend public schools.

The study mirrors a 1997 U. S. Department of Education national assessment that examined "the benefits of using private and parochial schools as alternatives to alleviate the overcrowding in public schools." The department's findings, released earlier this year, estimate that private schools could absorb as much as four percent of public school students in 22 urban communities.

The complete, 10-page Michigan study may be accessed at www.mackinac.org/article.asp?ID=1626,or by calling the Mackinac Center for Public Policy at (989) 631-0900. Educators are not charged for single copies.

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Tue., August 31, 2010
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Sun., August 29, 2010
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Sat., August 28, 2010
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User Comments
carol peterson
education is an all around development for a child
he should be mentally and physically strong


<a href="http://rescueyoursavings.com" rel="dofollow">Savings</a> >>
carol peterson
education is an all around development for a child
he should be mentally and physically strong >>
johnstfu
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Aarowman
Public servants like Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Senators, Congressmen, Judges, Secretaries of Various Departments and the like should be first to be compensated for performance.
The idea that the playing field for students is level everywhere is as Quixotic as thinking all politicians are honest and competent.
There are neighborhoods where only Portugese or gang sign language is spoken, where the parents both work two jobs to pay rent, where getting to school and back is more dangerous than Iraq and Afghanastan.
This Secretary of Education has to remove the silver spoon, roll up his sleeves and take his superior intellect attitude into the trenches and show the poor slobs that are taking their teachers jobs for granted how he would do it. Just because his mommy used to help out in Chicago doesn't give him the Congression Medal of Honor. Actually he's a stuffed shirt pretending to know it all.
How much do you want to bet that he wouldn't attempt entering these neighborhoods let alone these schools without security. >>
verdemont resident
This article is tucked away yet is profoundly correct. Parents are pseudo parenting little objects of consumption. Teens, professionals, working moms like the "idea" of a child but are not in for the long haul and everyone loses.

Schools are enabling parents to do precious little. The time parents spend with their children is the only thing that matters. Bussing needs to be cut, school breakfast, lunch, and afterschool care needs to be stopped. Parents will grow that bond by sacrificing the nails, hair, parties, drugs, quads, vacations, etc. and making a lunch for their child and arrangements to be home when the child is out of school. No one is that poor that they can't provide a boloney sandwich, a baggie of pretzels, an apple, 50 cents for a milk, and two cookies each day.

Please respond!

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JackI
Is it true that young ones today are losing interest on these subjects? Obviously, the White House is promoting programs that will help students on coping up with math and science subjects. But, The federal government thinks that the quality of math and science education can repair credit with the scientific community and improve US education with a few <a rev="vote for" title="U.S. Government Spends $250 Million on Science and Math" href="http://personalmoneystore.com/Payday-Loans/ ">payday loans</a> of sorts. In reality, it will take far longer to accomplish than they might think – US educators can't even get students to accept that "irregardless" isn't a word, and the difference between their, they're, and there – our students can't even learn their own language! It's a noble aim, to be sure, but throwing money at it may not work in the long run. >>
beggarsall
I am a teacher in the same county who is presently trying to quit the union. Like Caldwell, I strongly disagree with the MEA.

This article was timely.

Rob Olson
Pittsford Area Schools

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rickolson
I agree this is a change worth making. I describe some of the uneven effects of the idea on my blog at http://rickolson.blogspot.com/2009/08/statewide-health-insurance-plan-for.html which you may also wish to read.

The devil will be in the details, so this is one we will need to monitor closely.

Rick Olson from Saline, former school Business Manager >>
MichelleO

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QUEEN_BEE_09
I AGREE >>