1. Resource Allocation and District Action Reports: RADAR
Introductory Workshop
Summer, 2018

2. AGENDA Agenda 1 2 3 4 Using state data to support resource analysis
An initial look at RADAR
AGENDA 3
Resource allocation decision-making 4
Using RADAR

3. 1 Using state data to support resource analysis

4. DESE is offering new information on resource allocation.
Data collections from districts hold much useful information
DESE analysts can mine that data to provide reports
RADAR is visual, comparative, longitudinal
RADAR creates new metrics about resources
People and time data, as well as money

5. There are three RADAR packages available to districts
District in state context
Change over 5 years
Per-pupil expenditure
Staff FTEs per 100 students
SPED enrollment/placement
SPED staff
Class size by grade and subject area
District comparisons
District schools
Class size/courses
Security portal
Special education
Benchmarking
Public website
District SPED program
Students identified for or moving off services, by grade
Four year placement trajectories

6. How can you access the three different RADAR tools?
RADAR Benchmarking
RADAR Special Education
RADAR Class Size
On the DESE website:
Includes an introductory video, online tutorial, and other supporting materials
Security Portal Dropbox Central RADAR Dropbox You need RADAR Dropbox permission assigned to your user ID by your data coordinator

7. 2 An initial look at RADAR

8. Select comparison districts on Home Page to populate reports

9. The Home page generates two lists of similar districts for your consideration
Select your own comparisons
Districts with similar demographics
Districts with similar community wealth

10. 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
Districts typically compare to some nearby districts, even if they are quite different
They typically don’t look at far-away districts, even if they are quite similar
Worth considering: districts on both demographics and community wealth lists

11. An example of criteria used recently by a district :
Districts can choose criteria to build a comparison list that works for their analyses
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 higher
Especially interested in growth
Given other criteria, closest to our enrollment size
Given other criteria, subgroup percentages closest to ours

12. RADAR Benchmarking: Change Over 5 Years
Students
Performance
Staff
Spending

13. Change Over 5 Years with guiding questions (separate link)

14. RADAR Benchmarking: Per Pupil Expenditure

15. RADAR Benchmarking: Staff FTEs per 100 Students

16. RADAR Benchmarking: Special Education Enrollment

17. 4 Resource allocation decisions
Resource allocation decision-making 3

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

19. 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

20. Data can help build a shared understanding
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.

21. Districts have used RADAR to support decision-making
Benchmark
Communicate
Cite an outside source
Connect plan and budget
Reallocate resources

22. 4 Resource allocation decisions
Using RADAR 4

23. Pair and share about your RADAR reports
Activity
Pair and share about your RADAR reports
Something that surprised you, or confirmed something for you
How you might use that information
Share with the whole group

24. Activity (small groups)
Special Education Enrollment
What similarities and differences are there among special education programs in these districts, based on these enrollment charts?
Special Education Staffing
What similarities and differences are there among special education programs in these districts, based on these staffing charts?
What questions might you raise in a district discussion of resources?

25. In your district’s budget process this year:
Discussion
In your district’s budget process this year:
When could your district team use RADAR?
Who should be looking at RADAR?
What other data might help align resources to your district strategic plan?

26. Comments and questions?
Comments, feedback, questions?
Contact