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
![Scatterplot: Spending v Outcomes SD U-46](https://edunomicslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Spending-v-Oucomes-Scatterplot-SD-U-46.jpg)
Interactive data displays allow users to explore resource equity, 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
![Graph: 2 decades of spending and outcomes in US public ed](https://edunomicslab.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Graph_2-decades-of-spending-outcomes-in-US-public-ed.jpg)
These ROI graphs show how spending and outcomes have changed over the years, both nationally and state by state.
Learn more about this analysis in our 30-minute webinar.
Related Activity
Interactive Tool
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
- Jun 18, 2024
Can vendors help our schools?
Optimism around the ed vendor space is running high.
- Webinars & Presentations
- Jun 06, 2024
30-Min Webinar: Can academic recovery continue when federal relief funds dry up?
We look at public education spending and outcomes over a decade, nationally and state by state, plus what the likely revenue trajectory could mean for future math and reading scores.
- Newsletters
- Apr 10, 2024
Is it too late to protect what’s working as the cliff hits districts?
Next year's school district budgets will be locked in this spring. After that, influencing spending for 24-25 gets a lot harder.
- Articles & Publications
- Mar 03, 2024
Closing schools: How much money does it save, and is it worth it?
School closure decisions are never easy. In this EdSource commentary, Roza and Dhammani outline several factors districts should consider in order to bring transparency to the process and ensure all students are served well.