Section 2.

3: Community Demographics

2.2.13 Analyze the community’s shifting demographics, and recommend ways that the

education system can respond

The word demographic means to relate to the structure of populations. Every school

district has their own community characteristics which affects that school’s demographics. These

demographics can shift and cause a change in the community and affect it in different ways.

Olentangy Local Schools have a population of 21,062 students compared to Solon City Schools

in which they only have 5,096 students. Now, 21,000 may seem like a lot but it’s nothing

compared to Columbus City schools who have a student population of 51,000! Because of these

numbers, all the schools are affected in different ways.

According to the Ohio school report cards, Olentangy falls in between Columbus and

Solonin overall rating. Olentangy has an overall average of an A. However, they do have a few

B’s and even a C. (Evidence 2.3.1 ​Olentangy Report Card​). Olentangy faces a problem with

overpopulation. Olentangy has 24 schools and they are planning on building more. Olentangy is

considered a middle-class school district so many people like to move in the area just for their

children to get a good education. This affects local taxpayers because their taxes and funding for

education will go up since Olentangy is constantly expanding and growing. They need funding to

support all of these new students. The change in population also results in hiring more teachers.

There needs to be enough teachers to educate the students in which it causes an increase in

funding. If students don’t get enough one on one attention from the schools then their overall

grades start to slip.

 Columbus schools are a perfect example. Their average report card grade is a D.

(Evidence 2.3.2 ​Columbus City Report Card​). They have, 3 F’s, a D, and a B. A lot of their

students aren’t getting the education that they need. This also increases crime rate, dropout rate,

and poverty rate. (Evidence 2.3.3 ​Columbus City dropout rate statistics​). Because it is a low

income area, almost anyone can live there. This increases the diversity of the students and the

type of lifestyle that they live. At Columbus public, only 5.9% of students are

advanced.(Evidence 2.3.4 ​Columbus City achievement rates​). In Olentangy, 37.6% students are

advanced and in Solon, their number increases to 50.2%! (Evidence 2.3.5 and 2.3.6 ​Olentangy

achievement rates​, ​Solon city achievement rates​). Overpopulation in any school has its downfall

when there is insufficient financial support. What needs to happen is that the state and federal

funding needs to increase. Their funding is less than Olentangy and Solon when they have the

most students! Schools that have more students need more money or it is impossible to meet all

of their educational needs!

Underpopulation can have its disadvantages too. Solon city schools is one of the lowest

populated schools in Ohio. (Evidence 2.3.7 ​Solon City demographic statistics​). They have an

extremely low poverty rate and it is located in a wealthy area. Because of this, only few can

afford to live there. This increases taxes and makes living there more expensive. (Evidence 2.3.8

Solon City financial data​). Since per capita income is high, much of their funding comes from

home. However, this also increases their success rate and education standards. (Evidence 2.3.9

Solon City graduation rates​). This gives them A’s across the board. (Evidence 2.3.10 ​Solon City

report card​). Solon city schools can take action by advertising their school’s reports and

encourage people to want the best education for their children.