Infographic: Real Numbers Behind Declining Student Enrollment

Throughout the country, major school districts are facing sharp student enrollment declines.

All it takes is one look at the numbers:

• 6 million students attended charter schools in 2014.
• In Detroit, more than half of K-12 students now attend charters.
• 73 percent of rural districts in Wisconsin lost students in the 2013-2014 school year, and that trend continues.

As every school leader knows, fewer students almost always translate to fewer resources for key programs. On average, for every four students lost to choice, demographic shifts, or other factors, districts also forfeit funding equivalent to one full-time entry-level teacher’s salary.

Thankfully, there are steps public school districts can take to reverse declining enrollment and stay competitive.

A new infographic from K12 Insight (which produces TrustED) outlines the enrollment challenge—and shares what some districts are already doing to solve the problem.

What do you think of this infographic? What strategies have your school or district put in place to stay competitive? Tell us in the comments.