Brown’s Promise, The Century Foundation Release Magnet Program Strategy to Equitably Manage Declining K-12 Student Enrollment
Washington, D.C.— Brown’s Promise and The Century Foundation today released a new guide encouraging districts to consider whole-school magnet programs as a proactive, equity-centered strategy for addressing declining public school enrollment. The guide, "When Enrollment Drops: A Magnet School Strategy for Districts Committed to Excellence, Equity, and Diversity," is a practical resource for education leaders and advocates who value diversity and equity seeking solutions to declining enrollment in their districts.
With enrollment declining nationwide, public schools face funding cuts, often resulting in program cutbacks and school closures that exacerbate racial and economic disparities. Low-income students and students of color too often bear the brunt of disrupted educations and lost community hubs as underfunded schools in those communities face higher closure rates. Even when controlling for academic performance, school closures are about three times as likely to occur in majority-black schools as opposed to those with more balanced student populations.
“Closing schools should never be the default. District leaders need to have good, community-centered alternatives. And when closure or consolidation is truly necessary, they need to put equity first,” said Brown’s Promise co-founder Ary Amerikaner. “Whole-school magnet programs are more than a lifeline for under-enrolled schools — done well, they provide exciting, theme-based schools where all students learn rigorous academic content in a fun, diverse, and engaging atmosphere. These programs can prepare students to thrive in diverse professional environments, while attracting back families who have left the district.”
The resource outlines steps district leaders can take to implement magnet programs and reinvest in under-resourced schools. The report includes:
A three-step strategy for creating successful and inclusive magnet schools, including recommendations on transportation, admissions, and community engagement.
Guidance on message framing and marketing the programs to local communities.
Best practice examples from districts like Miami-Dade, Wake County, and Nashville.
“Resurfacing magnets as an alternative to closures is a good move right now,” said Francis Pearman, Assistant Professor at Stanford Graduate School of Education. “If underenrolled schools are a problem, an answer is to address the underlying cause — declining enrollment, which magnets were historically designed for.”
“As many schools are struggling with under-enrollment and what seems like endless funding cuts, magnet programs open up all sorts of possibilities,” said Halley Potter, Director of K-12 Policy at The Century Foundation. “They aren’t a cure-all solution, but they can expand academic opportunities and boost enrollment within a district. Targeted programs like arts or dual-language programs can be tailored to what families in the district want — they truly are a win-win”.
The guide also highlights federal funding opportunities, such as the Magnet Schools Assistance Program, that can help support leaders implementing magnet programs.
Read the full guide here: "When Enrollment Drops: A Magnet School Strategy for Districts Committed to Excellence, Equity, and Diversity.
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Hosted at Southern Education Foundation, Brown’s Promise is fighting to advance educational equity through integration. Brown’s Promise collaborates with partners to use research, litigation, and advocacy to create diverse, well-resourced schools for all children. To learn more about Brown’s Promise, visit www.brownspromise.org/about
