The article discusses the merger of the School for Human Rights with the Brooklyn Institute of Liberal Arts (BILA) in New York due to declining enrollment. Students like Osei Alfred and Rayleen Laloi share experiences of what is lost in such consolidations, including unique school identities and programs. It highlights broader trends of school mergers in response to low student numbers.
Key Points
- Mergers occur due to low enrollment, consolidating schools like BILA and the School for Human Rights.
- Students report losses in school culture, specialized programs, and community ties.
- The piece features perspectives from affected students in Brooklyn.
Implications for Educational Freedom
School mergers due to low enrollment can reduce educational options for parents, limiting school choice and potentially infringing on parental rights to select preferred learning environments. This underscores the need for policies like vouchers and ESAs to support diverse schooling alternatives and prevent government-driven consolidations.
Source: When 2 schools become 1: What gets lost in a merger?
