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 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
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
- Aug 15, 2024
Schools have more staff than ever. Are kids benefiting?
Most districts now have more staff than ever before. Per usual, Edunomics Lab asks: Is it working? Are students benefiting?
- Webinars & Presentations
- Aug 08, 2024
30-Min Webinar: The Big Hire: Massachusetts’s school staffing changes
In this 30-minute webinar, we share findings from a new Edunomics Lab analysis of how staffing has changed in Massachusetts schools between 2020 and 2024.
- Webinars & Presentations
- Aug 01, 2024
30-Min Webinar: Are students benefiting from the rising costs of Special Ed?
In this 30-minute webinar, we share findings from Edunomics Lab's analysis of new Special Ed spending data to better understand the extent to which rising identification rates and staffing increases deliver value for students.
- Articles & Publications
- Jul 25, 2024
Why WA school budgets are getting tighter, and what can be done about it
In the Washington State Standard, Marguerite Roza and Ash Dhammani write that strategic financial leadership is more critical than ever to help communities understand tradeoffs and ensure WA state’s students get the most for every dollar.
