ROI & Productivity
Measuring ROI
Productivity is sometimes seen as a dirty word in education. Far from dehumanizing students and teachers as widgets, what we’re studying is the unique interplay of human factors in schooling that drive improvements and success. Our research and tools prompt the system to use productivity data—pairing spending with existing data on outcomes—to seek ways to leverage every dollar to drive measurable improvements for students.
Spending vs. Outcomes by School
Interactive data displays allow users to explore resource allocation patterns, how dollars are allocated to schools, and which schools are most able to leverage their money to maximize student outcomes.
ROI Over Time: National and by State
These ROI graphs show how spending and outcomes have changed over the years state by state, and which states have been more (or less) successful at leveraging dollars for academic improvement.
Using Productivity Metrics to Drive Continuous Improvement
How Public Ed Can Use Productivity Metrics to Drive Continuous Improvement
We propose a set of policies designed to disrupt business-as-usual routines in school districts by getting leaders to use productivity data—that is, data that pairs spending with existing data on outcomes at each school. Doing so would prompt the system to seek ways to leverage every dollar to drive measurable improvements for students.
A better budget dance: Using spending v outcomes data in budgeting
Related Resources
- Newsletters
- Mar 13, 2025
Layoffs happening in schools. Yes, SCHOOLS.
The 10-year trends for each state suggest a reset is needed in many to ensure that investments are delivering more for students.
- Articles & Publications
- Mar 10, 2025
Going through the motions: The role of school boards in budget deliberations
This brief offers a descriptive baseline analysis of what school board financial deliberations look like and what opportunities and barriers affect their role in financial decision-making.
- Newsletters
- Jan 29, 2025
NAEP truth bomb: Some states see academic progress. Many do not.
The 10-year trends for each state suggest a reset is needed in many to ensure that investments are delivering more for students.
- Articles & Publications
- Oct 23, 2024
No Silver School-Spending Bullets: 5 Lessons from ESSER to Help Drive Continued Learning Recovery
Marguerite Roza and Maggie Cicco share what we've learned from ESSER about making money matter more in schools, in an analysis published at Education Next.
