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Task force outlines where Albert Lea students are going and why; staff plans outreach to families who left
Summary
District data show open-enrolled students are going to many nearby districts and online programs; staff listed primary reasons (smaller class sizes, family/work ties, online/homeschool options) and proposed targeted follow-up with families who left.
District enrollment staff told the task force that students who open-enroll out name several recurring reasons and go to a wide range of neighboring districts and online programs.
"When they enroll with another district... they'll provide a reason," Speaker 3 said, summarizing categories collected by the district: smaller class sizes or smaller districts, family/work connections, location/transportation, homeschool/online options and educational opportunities. Speaker 3 read a list of common destinations including Alden, Austin, Blooming Prairie, Minnesota Virtual Academy, Princeton and Worthington.
Task-force members discussed using the survey and targeted outreach to reach those families and learn what would bring them back. Staff noted current exit-form data are brief and that a deeper follow-up (phone or survey) could capture richer reasons for leaving. Speaker 3 suggested the district has contact information for many of these families and proposed developing a targeted outreach plan.
The administration will expand exit follow-up questions and include a return‑factor question on the community survey so the task force can gauge which program, structural or communication changes might draw families back into Albert Lea schools.
