Memphis City school system & Shelby county school system a consolidated school system for or aganist - Term Paper Example

School consolidation has been visualized as a means to resolve various rural issues. However, the application of this concept has also resulted in many potential complications along with solving issues, as discussed in this paper. Public perception of consolidation: Early educationalists, policy makers and reformers consented that unionization of schools was the fundamental requirement of the industrialized society. Their mutual consensus led them to speak in favor of the formulation of a centralized and increasingly urban educational model (Kay, Hargood, and Russell, 1982).

However, not many parents in the present age favor the practice. This is because they want their children to be given due attention by the mentors, and want the educational environment to be conducive for good learning and academic growth of the children. My personal perception of consolidation: I personally am against the consolidated school system as it adversely affects the educational system and the learners’ tendency to gain knowledge. People today are highly conscious and possessive about the quality of education their children are provided with in schools.

Consolidated school systems crowd the classes with students. . People generally hold a view that if the charter gets surrendered, it would consolidate Memphis City School and Shelby County School into one unit. Shelby County School has been running a successful academic record and has been managing and administering its system rationally. On the other hand, the Memphis City School is currently going through a crisis. Memphians have to pay a lot of tax, and the record is not up to the mark. The following SWOT analysis depicts the potential consequences of this consolidation.

SWOT analysis of the consolidated school system: Strengths: Memphians may see a relief from the double taxation, who have to pay the taxes first for the county and secondly for the city. The City would find a relief from the payment for Memphis City School. MCS would hence, be able to save $78 million every year (Memphis, 2011). Weaknesses: MCS has a poorer record as compared to SCS. It might have to compromise upon many decisions that SCS would propose because of its inferiority. There is likelihood of emotional distress in the Memphis students because of this union.

Opportunity: Memphis schoolchildren would have equal opportunity of education as enjoyed by other schoolchildren that live in suburbs. The kids will have facilities as per their individualistic needs irrespective of their place in city or the county. The consolidation would keep the Shelby County School from acquiring the district status of a special school. If SCS acquires that status, it would separate the Memphis students from those in the suburbs and also, reduce tax base for the Memphis City School, which would potentially raise the tax for taxpayers in Memphis.

The consolidation would prevent that from happening. Threats: There is an increased likelihood of frequent encounters