Pine Bluff Education Study

Go Forward Pine Bluff (GFPB) is now prepared to fulfill its commitment of facilitating a study regarding the consolidation of the schools in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Since the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) sponsored the community school consolidation discussion in June of 2018, GFPB has worked to understand the impact of engaging in such a process and ensure that our approach does not disrupt the fabric of the entire GFPB plan. Significant time has been spent learning from past community examples, continuing to implement the current education initiatives, and realizing we must prepare for future considerations beyond our control…

Purpose and Background

The Pine Bluff Education Study (PBES) was initiated in response to growing concerns about the academic performance, declining enrollment, and financial instability of the three school districts in Pine Bluff, Arkansas—Dollarway School District, Pine Bluff School District, and Watson Chapel School District. The NAACP Pine Bluff branch, in partnership with Go Forward Pine Bluff, sought to evaluate the feasibility of consolidating these districts to address these issues and improve educational outcomes for the community.

Research Findings

Academic Performance

Over recent years, the academic performance in all three districts has seen a significant decline. Key findings include:

Enrollment Trends

Student enrollment has been steadily decreasing across all three districts, with the Pine Bluff School District experiencing nearly a 27% drop since the 2015-16 school year. This decline in enrollment has directly impacted the funding and resources available to the districts, further exacerbating the challenges they face.

Teacher Quality and Workforce

The study found a substantial decrease in the number of teachers in the city, with a significant increase in the use of waivers and inexperienced teachers. The Dollarway and Pine Bluff school districts, in particular, have seen the percentage of inexperienced teachers exceed the state average, raising concerns about the quality of education provided.

Budget and Financial Status

All three districts have faced declining revenues and increasing expenditures, leading to financial instability. The PBES report highlighted the need for better financial management and innovative approaches to ensure sustainability.

Community Engagement and Recommendations

To ensure transparency and gather community input, the study included extensive engagement efforts such as public meetings, focus groups, and surveys. Key themes from these discussions included:

Concerns about the sustainability of the schools in Pine Bluff.
The importance of prioritizing students' mental health and providing necessary resources.
The critical need for community buy-in for any consolidation or reform efforts.

Recommendations

Based on the findings, the PBES report recommends considering annexation or consolidation as a strategic approach to reversing the downward trends. The report also suggests implementing innovative educational reforms.