80 likes | 211 Views
School Finance Adequacy and School Improvement: One View from New Jersey. Margaret E. Goertz University of Pennsylvania pegg@gse.upenn.edu. Abbott Remedies. Parity funding for regular education Programs to meet special educational needs of students
E N D
School Finance Adequacy and School Improvement: One View from New Jersey Margaret E. Goertz University of Pennsylvania pegg@gse.upenn.edu
Abbott Remedies • Parity funding for regular education • Programs to meet special educational needs of students • Early childhood education and full day kindergarten • Social and health services • Security, technology, alternative schools • Whole school reform; early literacy • Facilities
Fiscal impact of Abbott Remedies • Abbott districts’ share of state aid increased from 42% in 1989-90 to 56% in 2005-06. • Spending in Abbott districts increased more than $5000 per pupil in same time period. • Abbott districts are highest spending in the state.
Use of New Dollars • State specified resource allocation in late 1990s. • Linked to WSR models in elementary schools. • Schools followed state model budgets. • Reallocated some staff to fill positions. • Added staff to reduce class size and provide student support services, security, technology, basic skills teachers, instructional support (e.g. facilitators). • In most cases, total staffing exceeded what was required by the WSR models.
Use of New Dollars: Abbott Elementary Schools • About 50% for core academic teachers and specialists. • About 15% for extra help. • About 15% for PD, materials and other instructional support. • About 9% for student and parental support services. • About 10% for non-instructional activities.
21 36
15 25
Challenges • Moving from resource adequacy to instructional improvement. • Lack of improvement in grades 8 and 11. • Defining adequacy for non-Abbott districts.