Vermont Study Suggests Increase in Education Spending
and Emphasis on Effective Programs
Earlier this year, the National
Conference of State Legislatures released a costing-out
analysis that it conducted for the Vermont
Department of Education. The researchers were asked
by the state to: identify the amount of resources needed
to adequately fund Vermont's
schools, identify effective programs and strategies
used by Vermont's "successful" schools, analyze the
effectiveness of Vermont's small schools grants, and
create a cost of education index.
The "Vermont Education Finance Study" used both the
successful
schools and professional
judgment methodologies to determine the level of
resources needed to provide an adequate public education
in the state. Costs of transportation and special education
reimbursements, as well as costs of facilities financing,
were not included in the study's calculations.
The study defined successful schools as those meeting
two criteria. Schools with at least two-thirds of 4th
and 8th graders and at least 60 percent of 10th grades
scoring in the top two quintiles on state English and
math exams were used as models, as were schools or supervisory
unions that met Adequate Yearly Progress under NCLB.
Using this methodology, researchers also analyzed schools
not meeting the criteria.
Schools meeting the state assessment criteria spent
more on average than those that did not perform well.
Nonetheless, some of these "successful schools" spent
less than the state average. Using this data, researchers
were unable to calculate an at-risk pupil weight due
to perceived inconsistencies.
The professional judgment methodology convened 25
"expert educators" and focus groups to recommend the
necessary inputs and personnel per 100 students by grade
level. The panels were instructed to assume that 25.5
percent of the students were "at-risk" and 11.5 percent
were classified as special education students, levels
similar to 2001-2002 state averages. Costs of student
services were included on a per student basis. The recommended
inputs would require an average 19.1 percent increase
in education spending, raising average per pupil spending
from $7,807 to $9301 in 2002 dollars.
Although NCSL attempted to calculate a cost of education
index, researchers did not include their results in
the study due to incomplete data.
In addition, the study provides an overview and analysis
of small school grants established by the state to support
small, rural schools. Although other research has proven
the effectiveness of small schools, the report suggests
that 26 low-performing small schools in Vermont
might benefit from consolidation.
A previous study completed by William J. Mathis, and
supplemented by Bill Talbott, recommended a 20% increase
in education funding.
Prepared June 14, 2004
|
