Using Student Enrollment Forecasts and Analyses of Special Programs to Promote Equitable Program Access in Rockford Public Schools

Rockford Public Schools (RPS) is a medium-sized district of about 28,000 students in Illinois. Over the past ten years, RPS has experienced shifting student demographics, including a substantial increase in the number of English language learning students. RPS sought support in creating student enrollment forecasts to understand ELL enrollment trends and student enrollment over the next ten years. FLO used this and student location information to analyze special program access with a focus on ensuring equitable access to special programs. 

After completing an in-depth analysis of RPS student enrollment data, holding meetings with municipal planners to determine anticipated student yields from planned residential development, and analyzing U.S. Census data to project birth rates and understand student migration into the area, FLO developed ten-year student enrollment forecasts for RPS. An important finding from the forecasts was that there was an anticipated increase in ELL students over the forecast period. 

FLO collaborated with an interdepartmental team at RPS to analyze forecast results, student enrollment in special programs, and the placement of these programs. This analysis helped identify areas where special programs, such as special education and bilingual, could be better aligned with where students live. RPS is using these insights to guide decisions on program placement for equitable access and plans to present recommendations to the Board of Education’s Committee of the Whole. The forecast results are also informing their long-range Master Facility Plan.