Enrollment Management: Public School District Leaders’ Experiences, and the Effects of Community Trust in Leaders

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine enrollment management needs and potential processes in traditional public preschool through 12th grade school districts. This study allowed school districts to examine their own individual unique enrollment management needs and potential processes for moving forward in making equitable decisions for all students while also being fiscally responsible. Trust with various stakeholders is an essential component when districts make enrollment management decisions which can affect the various community stakeholders in different ways.

This case study utilized a mixed methods approach which involved collecting, analyzing, and summarizing both qualitative and quantitative data using descriptive data analysis. Participants included Arizona superintendents who completed a survey and five superintendents from those who completed the survey were selected to be interviewed for a more in depth look at enrollment management within their own school district.

Research Question 1 addressed key components of effective PreK-12 enrollment management, as described by participants. This included many things but most often was space utilization, magnet or specialized programs, and boundaries. Utilizing an external service provider can assist superintendents in collecting and analyzing a myriad of relevant data.

Research Question 2 addressed how district leaders use enrollment management to determine the best use of resources. Understanding a district’s space utilization is important in determining enrollment management steps. Additional funding sources, such as voter approved overrides and bonds, can be vital to a district determining what they realistically can or can’t do in regards to specialized programs, keeping schools updated, renovated, and if in a growing district even building new schools. Communication with stakeholders is vitally important when looking at various enrollment management initiatives.

Research Question 3 addressed how enrollment management was used to ensure educational accessibility for all students. School choice including open enrollment is prevalent in Arizona. Each school district is affected by school choice and open enrollment either positively or negatively based on the number of students registered. Superintendents reported educational accessibility for all students is an important component of making enrollment management decisions.

Research Question 4 addressed how trust affects school districts in making enrollment management decisions. Superintendents’ relationships with various stakeholders determines the level of trust found when making potentially volatile enrollment management decisions. Being transparent, humble, and willing to admit mistakes goes a long way in building trust. Knowing who the movers and shakers are in a district is vital to building trust with a wide range of stakeholders.

Enrollment management is complex and what components a district will focus on will be suited to the particular needs of the school district.