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While nationally we may be in the midst of an economic recovery, a new survey from the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) offers the latest evidence that the good news has not yet fully trickled down to state and local budgets – the budgets from which most education funding is drawn.

Nearly three-quarters – 71.2% – of respondents (school administrators from 48 states) report a cut in state/local revenues between the 2010 and 2011 school years, and more than half anticipate a decrease between the 2011 and 2012 school years and the 2012 and 2013 school years. More than three-quarters – 81.4% – describe their district as inadequately funded.

What does this mean for students?

• Larger classes – 40.3% of respondents increased class size in the 2010 school year, 54% did so in 2011, and 57.2% anticipate doing so in 2012
• Difficulty getting to school – 22.9% cut bus transportation routes and availability in 2010, 29.2% did in 2011,and 29% are considering it for 2012
• Reduced programming, including summer school, academic interventions, extracurriculars and more
  • 29.2% reduced nonacademic programs such as after school or Saturday enrichment programs in 2010, 35.4% did so in 2011 and 41.1% anticipate doing so in 2012
  • 24.1% reduced academic programs such as academic interventions and Saturday classes in 2010, 31.6% did so in 2011, and 35% are considering it for 2012
  • 19.3% eliminated summer school programs in 2010, 22.3% did so in 2011 and 29% are considering it for 2012
  • 24.1% reduced extracurricular activities in 2010, 28.8% did so in 2011, and 40.7% considering it for 2012
• Deteriorating learning environment – 43.6% deferred maintenance in 2010, 50.8% did so in 2011 and 55.5% are considering it for 2012; 32.2% reduced custodial services in 2010, 36% did so in 2011 and 38.6% are considering it for 2012
• There are fewer adults working with, and for, them – 68.2% eliminated positions in 2010, 68% did so in 2011, and 65.5% anticipate doing so in 2012

This survey comes on the heels of the MetLife Survey of the American Teacher, released last week. Most are focusing on the decreasing teacher morale and increasing family engagement that survey found, but it also reported on the impact of economic changes on schools, students and parents. And the numbers are consistent with AASA’s. For example, 76% of teachers reported their school’s budget decreased during the past year; 66% reported layoffs of teachers, parent/community liaisons or other school staff; 29% reported reductions or eliminations of after-school programs.

Despite the depressing picture that both school administrators and teachers paint, as AASA points out, “It looks like there is light at the end of the tunnel.” State budgets are slowly improving, with 38 states reporting higher general fund spending in 2011 than in 2010 and 43 states reporting higher general fund spending in 2012 than 2011.

Unfortunately, to reach the light will require an act of Congress. The Super Committee’s failure to reach a deal on budgetary savings for the federal government a few months ago has triggered an automatic spending reduction process (sequestration) that will subject all federally-funded education programs (excluding Pell Grants) to a 9.1% across-the-board cut as of January 2, 2013.

That type of reduction would have a devastating impact on schools, particularly given the fragile condition of state and local budgets and their inability to make up the difference. The cuts in services for children we have seen so far would pale in comparison to what is to come. Those in Congress will hopefully recognize that, and act to avoid it.

Image: Ludolf Bakhuizen [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons