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The federal government, through the School Improvement Grant (SIG) program of 2009, provided millions of dollars for states to bring about immediate and sustainable academic growth to schools that were designated as persistently lowest achieving. This study examined the budgets of the 128 California schools that participated in the first 2 years of the SIG program and analyzed the relationship between budgetary allocations and student achievement scores as measured by the Academic Performance Index (API). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that SIG budgetary allocation percentages designated for certificated personnel, classified personnel, instructional materials, parent education, professional development, technology, extended time, consultant services, incentives, and allocation percentages designated for inside or outside the classroom were not predictive of API scores. A Pearson r correlation showed no relationship between allocation percentages designated for staff incentives and API scores. An independent samples t-test showed no statistically significant difference between Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 API scores. Finally, an independent samples t-test revealed a statistically significant difference in mean API scores favoring those schools that were eligible to participate in the SIG program but did not receive funding over those that received SIG funding.
An increase in the number of schools adopting year-round programs prompted this analysis of all year-round education programs in California. Chapter 1, "Introduction to the Study," outlines study organization and calendar scheduling plans. "Design of the Study," chapter 2, describes data obtained from interviews, surveys, databases, site visits, and California Assessment Program files. Chapter 3, "Academic Achievement in Year-round Schools," interprets achievement data. Compared to traditional schools, year-round schools most frequently serve lower socioeconomic communities and have twice as many limited and non-English-speaking students and a larger percentage of minority students. Many schools are not achieving at predicted levels, though single-track schools have the strongest performance. Chapter 4, "Cost Analysis," reveals that increased per-pupil costs compare with those of traditional programs. "Characteristics of the Year-round Education Program," chapter 5, discusses operations and survey results. Teachers experienced better quality instruction and preferred teaching year-round. Students had mixed feelings about school scheduling. Parents' overall satisfaction was positive. The final chapter, "Conclusions and Recommendations," indicates that year-round education is an acceptable alternative. Overcrowding is relieved, new school construction is avoided, and flexible curriculum planning and extended teacher employment are offered. Recommendations are provided to districts and state agencies. Twenty-one tables and 13 figures exhibit data findings; 5 appendices provide survey instruments. (CJH)
The United States annually spends over $300 billion on public elementary and secondary education. As the nation enters the 21st century, it faces a major challenge: how best to tie this financial investment to the goal of high levels of achievement for all students. In addition, policymakers want assurance that education dollars are being raised and used in the most efficient and effective possible ways. The book covers such topics as: Legal and legislative efforts to reduce spending and achievement gaps. The shift from "equity" to "adequacy" as a new standard for determining fairness in education spending. The debate and the evidence over the productivity of American schools. Strategies for using school finance in support of broader reforms aimed at raising student achievement. This book contains a comprehensive review of the theory and practice of financing public schools by federal, state, and local governments in the United States. It distills the best available knowledge about the fairness and productivity of expenditures on education and assesses options for changing the finance system.
The report analyzes an array of issues pertaining to accessibility, student achievement, governance, and operation of charter schools in California. Four specific research questions were investigated: (1) What population of students attends charter schools? (2) Is student achievement higher in charter schools than in conventional public schools? (3) What oversight and support do the chartering authorities provide? (4) How do charter schools differ from their conventional public school counterparts in terms of their operation, including finances, academic achievement, and staffing?