Resource Allocation and District Action Reports: RADAR Federal Grants Conference, May 30, 2018 Sarah Carleton

AGENDA Agenda 1 2 3 4 Using state data to support resource analysis An initial look at RADAR AGENDA 3 How districts have used RADAR 4 Resource allocation decisions

1 Using state data to support resource analysis

Challenge from Education Resource Strategies to state LEAs: Use state data about people, time, and money Objectives Challenge from Education Resource Strategies to state LEAs: Create metrics from state data that describe how people, time and money align with district priorities Tackle questions like: Are struggling 9th graders in smaller math classes? What are typical placement trajectories for students with disabilities over five years?

We now have three RADAR packages available for districts Change over 5 years State context Per-pupil expenditure Staffing per 100 students SPED enrollment SPED staffing Class size by grade and subject area (district and school) 9th  and 11th grade course- taking by MCAS performance level  and sub-group Advanced courses - participation by sub-group Class size/courses Security portal Special education Benchmarking Public website SPED enrollment/placement District profile – 5 years Students identified for or moving off services, by grade Five year trajectories for students by placement SPED  classes and staff deployment

How can you access the three different RADAR tools? RADAR Benchmarking RADAR Special Education RADAR Class Size/Courses On the DESE website: http://www.doe.mass.edu/research/radar/ Introductory video Security Portal Dropbox Central RADAR Dropbox You need RADAR Dropbox permission assigned to your user ID by your data coordinator

2 An initial look at RADAR

Select comparison districts on Home Page to populate reports

Home Page generates two lists of similar districts for your consideration Select your own comparisons Districts with most similar demographics Districts with most similar community wealth

It’s an art, not a science A good selection of comparison districts adds credibility to a district’s analysis of resource use It’s an art, not a science Worth considering: districts on both demographics and community wealth lists Districts typically compare to some nearby districts, even if they are quite different They typically don’t include far-away districts, even if they are quite similar

An example of criteria used recently by a district : Districts can choose criteria for a comparison list that has good credibility when looking at resource use An example of criteria used recently by a district : Located within 50 miles Spending per pupil is no more than $3,000 higher Student performance is equal or better Especially interested in growth Given other criteria, closest to our enrollment size Given other criteria, subgroup percentages closest to ours

RADAR Benchmarking: Per Pupil Expenditure

RADAR Benchmarking: Staff FTEs per 100 Students

RADAR Benchmarking: Special Education Enrollment

RADAR Benchmarking: Special Education Staffing

RADAR Benchmarking: Change Over 5 Years Student enrollment and demographics Performance: state assessment and graduation rate Staffing: district and school leaders, teachers, paraprofessionals Spending in dollars and spending per pupil

Another version embeds discussion questions with charts

3 How districts have used RADAR

Districts have used RADAR to: Benchmark Communicate Cite an outside source Connect plan and budget Reallocate resources

RADAR tools can help connect plan and budget Create Plan Align Systems $ People Use of Time Implement RADAR Tools

Resource Reallocation Example: Integrate intervention and inclusion practices in district elementary classrooms Investment Resource Reallocation Anticipated Impact 1 Evaluation Team Leader (PK-6) 1 Special Education Teacher Professional development and staff stipends Reduce paraprofessional positions by 3 Shift classroom teacher to special education teacher Redirect budgets for professional development and staff stipends Implement co- teaching instruction district-wide Balance the student to teacher ratio throughout the district Develop teacher coaches

Example: Create more STEAM opportunities for students Investment Resource Reallocation Anticipated Impact K-8 STEAM curriculum New high school computer science and engineering courses Repurpose library teacher Regroup science classes Reduce redundant instructional software Increased participation in HS computer science and engineering courses Increased proficiency on STE MCAS

4 Resource allocation decisions

Budgets don’t always reflect strategic plans Divergent needs and priorities across stakeholders….. … lead to resource uses that don’t always match district’s stated priorities More spending vs. tax reductions General education vs. special education Core subjects vs. STEM vs. the arts

Build a shared understanding of the need for change Classroom Teachers Superintendent Special Education Teachers Paraprofessionals Most of my students can read at grade level Far too many students do not read at grade level Co-teaching is the best way to serve struggling readers We do a great job teaching reading to struggling students Build Shared Understanding In some similar communities over 90% of students read at grade level Only 70% of our students read at grade level Our current approach is not producing the results we want.

Explanations To Counter Pushback Frame resource shifts in terms of their impact on student achievement to build support Theory of Action District Objectives Budget Choices “Elementary reading is the gateway to all learning” “We WILL invest in our elementary reading efforts” “We will shift away from paraprofessionals to free up funds for reading teachers” Pushback Explanations To Counter Pushback “We are reducing paraprofessionals” “Reading is important” “We need more reading teachers”

Making resource use decisions using RADAR and other data In your district’s next budget discussions: When could your district team use RADAR? Who should be looking at RADAR? What other steps might help align resources to your district strategic plan? Comments, feedback, questions? Contact radar@doe.mass.edu

Thank you Contact: radar@doe.mass.edu