What’s measured This section looks at the percentage change in public school enrollment from the 1999-00 school year through the 2004-05 school year, by school district and for the region. The enrollment data includes students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, and is from the National Center for Education Statistics. Why it’s measured Public school enrollment growth has a large impact on local governments. While state government provides much education funding, local systems are usually responsible for new buildings and other expenses. Additionally, rapid growth makes it more difficult to meet the need for more teachers as well as administrative and support staff such as bus drivers. Indicator results Overall, the region experienced enrollment growth of 12.5 percent over the six-year period from school years 1999-00 through 2004-05 and 2.4 percent from 2003-04 to 2004-05. This growth is distributed unevenly in the 14-county region. Mecklenburg is experiencing high enrollment growth, along with most of the surrounding counties, especially Union, Cabarrus, Iredell and parts of York. However, Anson, Chester and Stanly have experience declines in public school enrollment. Evaluation Enrollment growth for the region as a whole appears to be on track for continued increases. The patterns of growth are dynamic and could affect new or different areas in the region as conditions change. In the counties beyond Mecklenburg, there are districts among the fastest growing in the country (Union) as well as districts experiencing loss of student enrollment (Chester, Stanly, Anson). This presents the region with a wide variety of issues surrounding this indicator. Connections High growth areas are struggling to keep up with dramatic enrollment increases. It is critical to the overall community that these patterns be understood and plans made to address the growth. Ups and downs in the economy, immigration issues, water availability, highways and changing attitudes toward new development could all affect locations and patterns of student-enrollment growth. Better understanding of these forces and their impact may improve the region’s ability to anticipate these changes.
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