SEDL Research on Instructional Resources and Student Performance Evidence 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

Examination of Resource Allocation in Education: Connecting Spending to Student Performance Key Findings from 1504 school districts in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas Compared to low-performing districts, high-performing districts: All four states Spent a larger share on instruction LA, NM, TX Spent more per pupil on instruction Employed more teachers AR and LA Spent less on general administration AR and TXEmployed fewer administrative staff

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

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

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

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

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

Strengths and Challenges of Existing State Data for Policy Decision Making StrengthsChallenges Multiple databases Contain wide range of relevant data Difficult to align data from multiple units or agencies ComplexityProvides high level of detail and ability to disaggregate Potential “bottomless pit” that limits utility Increased data needs Improved data for future useMore valid and reliable information required of schools and districts Applicability of data Can support multiple goals and various stakeholders Potential for misuse of data or incorrect interpretation