1. State Board of Education Costing-Out Study Robert E. Feir, Project Manager PASBO // March 15, 2007

2. 2PASBO Presentation Why do we Need a Study? “Commonwealth” “Commonwealth” Our students compete on a global stage Our students compete on a global stage Education quality currently relies too much on local community wealth Education quality currently relies too much on local community wealth Unfair for some children to be advantaged at the starting gate while all are expected to meet the same standards in this era of accountability Unfair for some children to be advantaged at the starting gate while all are expected to meet the same standards in this era of accountability

3. 3PASBO Presentation Equity

4. 4 Adequacy How much spending is needed to assure every student can meet the state standards? How much spending is needed to assure every student can meet the state standards?

5. 5PASBO Presentation Costing-Out Study Background Standards-based reform movement Standards-based reform movement How much does it cost to meet standards? How much does it cost to meet standards? Studies in at least 35 states Studies in at least 35 states Act 114 of 2006 Act 114 of 2006 State Board to contract for study to determine cost of all students meeting state standards and performance expectations State Board to contract for study to determine cost of all students meeting state standards and performance expectations RFP led to contract with Augenblick, Palaich, & Associates of Denver RFP led to contract with Augenblick, Palaich, & Associates of Denver

6. 6PASBO Presentation State Board Priorities Independence: contractors must perform their work in a professional manner free from political interference or State Board influence Independence: contractors must perform their work in a professional manner free from political interference or State Board influence Transparency: all interested Pennsylvanians should have access to information about the study and how it is conducted Transparency: all interested Pennsylvanians should have access to information about the study and how it is conducted

7. 7PASBO Presentation The Standard The study will determine the cost of meeting this standard: The study will determine the cost of meeting this standard: 100% attainment of the state’s 12 academic standards areas 100% attainment of the state’s 12 academic standards areas 100% proficiency on PSSA 100% proficiency on PSSA By 2014 By 2014

8. 8PASBO Presentation Overview of the Study Cost out elements school districts need to provide so students can meet the standard Cost out elements school districts need to provide so students can meet the standard Base Cost Base Cost Adjustments for district cost pressures (size and location) Adjustments for district cost pressures (size and location) Adjustments for students with special needs (special education, poverty, English language learners) Adjustments for students with special needs (special education, poverty, English language learners) Personnel wages Personnel wages

9. 9PASBO Presentation Four Methods Four methodologies are being used to estimate the cost of adequacy Four methodologies are being used to estimate the cost of adequacy Successful school district approach Successful school district approach Professional judgment approach Professional judgment approach Evidence-based approach Evidence-based approach Cost function approach Cost function approach

10. 10PASBO Presentation Successful School District Infers base cost from basic spending of successful districts Infers base cost from basic spending of successful districts Includes efficiency screens Includes efficiency screens Examines schools in high performing/low spending districts Examines schools in high performing/low spending districts

11. 11PASBO Presentation Professional Judgment Costs out resources identified by 10 panels of about 80 educators for hypothetical schools and districts Provides base cost and adjustment for district size Provides adjustments for special needs students

12. 12PASBO Presentation Evidence-Based Based on research Based on research Will involve about 100 Pennsylvania educators and citizens (including board members) in web- based activity Will involve about 100 Pennsylvania educators and citizens (including board members) in web- based activity

13. 13PASBO Presentation Cost Function Approach Statistical analysis of performance and spending data Includes an efficiency analysis Examines the cost of enrollment changes and sparcity/density

14. 14PASBO Presentation Other Activities Meet with various stakeholders Meet with various stakeholders School board members School board members Parents Parents Business Business Develop transportation cost model Develop transportation cost model Analyze student and taxpayer equity Analyze student and taxpayer equity

15. 15PASBO Presentation Not Included in Study Capital costs Capital costs Food service costs Food service costs Design of a new funding formula Design of a new funding formula Results of study can be used by elected officials for this purpose Results of study can be used by elected officials for this purpose Act 114 does not include design of formula Act 114 does not include design of formula

16. 16PASBO Presentation Schedule Contract signed: December 2006 Contract signed: December 2006 Data collection: January-February 2007 Data collection: January-February 2007 Data analysis: February-September Data analysis: February-September Professional judgment panels: March-May Professional judgment panels: March-May Interim report: May Interim report: May Final report: November Final report: November 6 regional meetings on final report: November- December 2007 6 regional meetings on final report: November- December 2007

17. 17PASBO Presentation State Board Oversight Education Costing-Out Committee: Education Costing-Out Committee: Dr. James E. Barker, Chair Dr. James E. Barker, Chair Karl R. Girton Karl R. Girton Mollie O’Connell Phillips Mollie O’Connell Phillips Larry A. Wittig Larry A. Wittig Staff: Staff: Jim Buckheit, State Board Executive Director Jim Buckheit, State Board Executive Director Dr. Robert E. Feir, Project Manager Dr. Robert E. Feir, Project Manager

18. 18PASBO Presentation For More Information Check the State Board’s website: Check the State Board’s website: http://www.pde.state.pa.us/stateboard_ed/site/defa ult.asp http://www.pde.state.pa.us/stateboard_ed/site/defa ult.asp http://www.pde.state.pa.us/stateboard_ed/site/defa ult.asp http://www.pde.state.pa.us/stateboard_ed/site/defa ult.asp Contact: Contact: Robert E. Feir Robert E. Feir717/230-8616 rfeir@edstrat21.com