1. Financial Transparency Working Group: State Activity thus Far September 19, 2017
By:
Marguerite Roza
Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University

2. Communicating During the Call
To request to be unmuted, please use the hand raise tool
Use the question box to ask questions or make a comment, and we will reply all so the group can see the question/comment & answer
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3. Agenda Summary of state activity Three Big Takeaways
Communication tips/templates
State activity: examples from states
In-person meeting details
Next meeting: Wednesday, Oct. 4, 1-2pm ET

4. What Steps Have You Taken So Far?
We Asked About The Following:
Piloting new accounting tools, processes, or data collection
Local working groups/ Task force
Communication w/ LEAs (formal vs. informal)
Data analyses
Draft accounting rules or guidance for LEAs
Sample data reports & visualizations
Training for LEAs around this requirement
Contract RFPs issued
Other?

5. 19 states sent updates!
CO, CT, DE, GA, IL, IN, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NE, NJ, NY, OR, RI, UT, VT, WY

6. Who’s doing what…

7. Three Big Takeaways on Communication
Inaccurate reference to federal requirement.
Regulations/guidance are gone! No federal requirement for “uniform procedure,” rules about denominator.
Five states acknowledge waiting to proceed until U.S. Dept. of Ed releases new guidance.
We suggest not waiting.
At least four states are limiting communication with LEAs or other stakeholders until the state has firm rules, procedures, or requirements in place re financial data.
Here again, we suggest moving forward sooner rather than later. And in Years 1 and 2, it may be useful to to proceed with minimal rules/requirements.

8. Communication Tip #1: Statewide memo to all stakeholders informing them about upcoming data
Cite federal law (without accompanying now repealed regulation or guidance)
Celebrate the opportunity (data when paired w/ demographics and outcomes can be a tool for system improvement)
Describe state readiness to meet the requirement
List state plan over following months (pilot, etc.)
Invite LEAs to examine their own data
Describe opportunities to participate, provide input.
Edunomics Lab has prepared a memo template that can be adapted to each state. Use the question box to indicate if you would like a editable copy.

9. Communication Tip # 2: Encourage LEAs to examine their data now
Five Questions LEAs Should Ask Now:
Do some schools stand out as getting less or more than their share of funds? If so, why?
Are district allocations for high-need students boosting spending at high-need schools? 
Are salary patterns driving uneven spending in ways that cause concern?
Is central spending lean and of high value?
How do student outcomes vary with spending? Are some schools able to leverage dollars to do more for students than others with the same share?

10. Communication Tip # 2, cont. Encourage LEAs to examine their data now
Soon to be released in School Administrator: Step-by-Step instructions for LEAs to examine their financial data in advance of public release.

11. State Examples for Discussion
Piloting new accounting tools, processes, or data collection
Oregon: making adjustments to COA, working with stakeholders to address culture change.
Local working groups/ Task force
Mississippi: statewide working group compiling FY 17 data to test state process.
Communication w/ LEAs
Much of existing communications was informal (conference presentations).
Formal: Colorado: Communicating via webinars.

12. State Examples for Discussion
Data Analyses
Five states considering releasing data for FY 18 (in advance of requirement). CT, CO, RI, NE, OR
Michigan: Examining FY 17 data now for completeness/compliance
Draft accounting rules or guidance for LEAs
New York: Initial guidance will be broad (more like “principles”) with specifics fine-tuned through the advisory process.
Sample data reports & visualizations
Nebraska aiming for Dec 2017 release of sample reports

13. State Examples for Discussion
Training for LEAs around this requirement
Missouri hosting October webinars with LEAs/vendors to describe data conversions
RFP/Consultants Hired in 4 states
Illinois: Using consultants to facilitate process

14. Willing to Share State Resources?
Have any tools, sample communication, etc. that other states may benefit from? them to Katie & she’ll put links in the powerpoint before it’s uploaded to the Financial Transparency site.

15. FiTWiG Supporters Next meeting: October 4, 1-2pm ET
What’s most urgent for your state? Topic ideas?
In-person meeting coming up:
Oct CCSSO in Raleigh, NC
Another in person meeting in DC, week of Feb. 5
FiTWiG Supporters
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