SEDL Research on Instructional Resources and Student Performance Evidence for Policy Makers

1. SEDL Research on Instructional Resources and Student PerformanceEvidence for Policy Makers Policy Team Diane Pan and Zena Rudo, Ph.D. Southwest Educational Development Laboratory (SEDL) Debra Hughes, Ph.D., Rahel Kahlert, Lotte Smith-Hansen The University of Texas at Austin, Charles A. Dana Center

2. Examination of Resource Allocation in Education: Connecting Spending to Student Performance Key Findings from 1504 school districts in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas

3. Key Findings from 12 improvement school districts • Higher spending on instruction and lower spending on general administration than comparison districts • Data-driven needs assessments, budgeting, and program planning • Increased professional development for instructional staff • Flexibility in spending and shared budget decision making • Need-based allocation of instructional resources based on well-defined performance goals

4. Stacking Up the EvidenceHow can policies regarding teacher resources be informed by existing state data? Teacher Resources Student Performance Contextual Factors

5. Stacking Up the EvidenceTeacher Certification and Compensation Teacher Resources Certification Level Salary Schedules Teacher Salary Student Performance Contextual Factors Test Scores Improvement Over Time Closing Achievement Gaps School Rankings High poverty High minority Urban/Rural/Suburban

6. Stacking Up the EvidenceTeacher Skills and Knowledge Teacher Resources Experience Preparation Degree Level Coursework Student Performance Contextual Factors Test Scores Improvement Over Time Closing Achievement Gaps School Rankings High poverty High minority District Wealth Urban/Rural/Suburban

7. Stacking Up the EvidenceTeacher Staffing Patterns Teacher Resources Ratio of Teachers to Other Staff Class Size Class Schedule Curriculum Student Performance Contextual Factors Test Scores Improvement Over Time Closing Achievement Gaps School Rankings ELL/LEP Special Education District Size

8. Strengths and Challenges of Existing State Data for Policy Decision Making