However, it is abundantly clear that for most children, smaller schools are better. We are advocates for small, rural schools, but primarily we are advocates for all children. Many urban and suburban areas are realizing the advantages of small schools, and are changing their structure. Please use the following information as you advocate for Nebraska small, rural schools and all of Nebraska's children. Nearly every study of educational attainment finds that small schools, whether measuring graduation or dropout rates, have a significant greater ability to graduate students than do large schools.
Participation generates a sense of belonging.
If consolidation is sold as a long-term, statewide cost cutting measure, it is incumbent for policy makers to consider the other side of the equation. Each is negatively impacted by the consolidation of schools. Measuring achievement is difficult and often subjective. The conventional wisdom is that larger schools have better achievement rates, due to technology, resources, and curriculums that provide a deeper and broader education. This assumption about the superiority of large schools melts away when considered by educators.