Opinion Archives - Edunomics Lab

Districts face deep financial pain in the next two years. Decisions made this spring will determine how it all plays out.

debraabritt2023-03-17T00:09:14+00:00

Marguerite Roza suggests keeping an eye on six critical issues during this spring's district budget discussions, as decisions made there will determine what happens on teacher layoffs, school closings, program cuts, and more.

Districts face deep financial pain in the next two years. Decisions made this spring will determine how it all plays out.debraabritt2023-03-17T00:09:14+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

The Stakes Are Only Getting Higher For Pandemic School Aid Spending

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:11+00:00

Higher spending in the final months of ESSER makes for deeper cuts come the 2024-25 school year, writes Marguerite Roza in Forbes. Meanwhile, students are still far behind where they should be.

The Stakes Are Only Getting Higher For Pandemic School Aid Spendingdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:11+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Federal Data: Schools Have Been Adding Teachers Even As They Serve Fewer Students

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:12+00:00

For schools to improve their services and respond to student needs, it’s important to be precise about the exact staffing challenges they face, writes Chad Aldeman at The 74.

Federal Data: Schools Have Been Adding Teachers Even As They Serve Fewer Studentsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:12+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Let’s Pay Parents to Help With Learning Recovery

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:13+00:00

Some school districts are flush with cash, but can’t find enough people to fill their open roles. In this Education Week commentary Chad Aldeman asks: what if schools engage families to help make headway on student recovery efforts?

Let’s Pay Parents to Help With Learning Recoverydebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:13+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Time to Change the District Budget Dance

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:15+00:00

Getting maximum value from available dollars is imperative, and may require some changes to the traditional budget process, writes Marguerite Roza in School Business Affairs Magazine.

Time to Change the District Budget Dancedebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:15+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Why Are Fewer People Becoming Teachers?

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:15+00:00

What caused the decline in teacher-preparation enrollments and completions? Until we diagnose the problem accurately, we won’t be able to devise solutions to fix it, writes Chad Aldeman in Education Next.

Why Are Fewer People Becoming Teachers?debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:15+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Public Education Missed the Data Revolution. It’s Time to Catch Up

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:16+00:00

Data-free schooling means the system can’t learn as it goes and improve on what it does. It means students aren’t getting the full value from the nation’s investment in public schooling, write Marguerite Roza and Chad Aldeman. What can be done to chip away at this data desert?

Public Education Missed the Data Revolution. It’s Time to Catch Updebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:16+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

On a Per-Student Basis, School Staffing Levels Are Hitting All-Time Highs

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:17+00:00

Schools in 46 states effectively lowered their teacher-student ratios by continuing to hire while enrollment has dropped, writes Chad Aldeman at The 74.

On a Per-Student Basis, School Staffing Levels Are Hitting All-Time Highsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:17+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Financial Innovations During COVID Show Schools Can Be Nimble When They Have To

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:18+00:00

When districts break out of deeply ingrained expenditure habits, it's a big deal. Roza & Silberstein share four financial practices that emerged during the pandemic that we hope will last.

Financial Innovations During COVID Show Schools Can Be Nimble When They Have Todebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:18+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

4 Ways State Leaders Can Lower Teacher Pension Costs

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:18+00:00

State and district leaders could simultaneously reduce retirement costs and improve benefits for teachers, writes Chad Aldeman.

4 Ways State Leaders Can Lower Teacher Pension Costsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:18+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

What Goes Wrong When Some School Board Members Don’t Understand District Finances?

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:19+00:00

A lack of school board financial expertise is especially problematic as members wrestle with the pressures of enrollment declines, inflation, and the temporary nature of federal relief funds, writes Marguerite Roza in Forbes.

What Goes Wrong When Some School Board Members Don’t Understand District Finances?debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:19+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

New Learning Loss Calculator Estimates COVID Slide, Costs of Catching Kids Up, in 8,000 School Districts

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:22+00:00

The Edunomics Lab team used the results from new research to build a calculator tool that estimates lost learning time in more than 8,000 school districts and what it will cost to get students back on track. In this commentary published by The 74, the authors urge district leaders to take stock of where their students are, and invest federal relief dollars now in ways that work for students.

New Learning Loss Calculator Estimates COVID Slide, Costs of Catching Kids Up, in 8,000 School Districtsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:22+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Opinion: The N.Y. Legislature’s big class size mistake

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:23+00:00

In this New York Daily News op ed, Chad Aldeman argues that across-the-board class size caps in New York City may not benefit all students and will limit other spending that might be more effective, for example on extracurriculars or counselors or higher salaries for teachers.

Opinion: The N.Y. Legislature’s big class size mistakedebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:23+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

What Are Districts Using Their Federal Relief Money for? How Fast Are They Spending It? How Much Is Left? New Interactive Database Has Answers

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:24+00:00

Because Congress directed federal relief funds to flow through states, districts file for reimbursement as the funds go out the door. In an analysis published by The 74, the Edunomics Lab team shares early results of tracking the actual spending data, district by district.

What Are Districts Using Their Federal Relief Money for? How Fast Are They Spending It? How Much Is Left? New Interactive Database Has Answersdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:24+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Inflation Will Put Districts in a Pickle

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:25+00:00

With contract negotiations pending and federal relief funds complicating the labor market, how can school districts respond to rising inflation pressures? In this Education Next commentary, Marguerite Roza suggests options to help mitigate long-term fiscal impacts.

Inflation Will Put Districts in a Pickledebraabritt2023-02-25T18:16:25+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Responding to a Tight Teacher Labor Market

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:34+00:00

In this article in School Business Affairs Magazine, the authors outline the types of innovative compensation strategies some districts are using to attract and retain talent in response to a tight labor market.

Responding to a Tight Teacher Labor Marketdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:34+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Opinion: Pause HISD’s plan to centralize school funding

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:35+00:00

In this Houston Chronicle op ed, Jessica Swanson and Marguerite Roza urge the Houston school board to take the time to ensure a full public vetting of the superintendent's proposal to centralize school funding.

Opinion: Pause HISD’s plan to centralize school fundingdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:35+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

A year ago, school districts got a windfall of pandemic aid. How’s that going?

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:36+00:00

In this Brookings Chalkboard blog, Marguerite Roza and Katherine Silberstein look at the magnitude of federal relief fund spending and conclude that districts need to up the pace at which money goes out the door each month.

A year ago, school districts got a windfall of pandemic aid. How’s that going?debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:36+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Universities aren’t teaching the finance skills that K-12 leaders need

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:36+00:00

Marguerite Roza explores the gap in financial training for aspiring K-12 education leaders and suggests ways that higher education can improve its offerings.

Universities aren’t teaching the finance skills that K-12 leaders needdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:36+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Talking about ESSER: Ways to Build Community Trust and Keep the Focus on Results for Students

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:37+00:00

Laura Anderson and Marguerite Roza map six ways district leaders can communicate about and help make the most of their ESSER investments.

Talking about ESSER: Ways to Build Community Trust and Keep the Focus on Results for Studentsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:37+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Marguerite Roza discusses how school districts should use federal COVID-19 relief funds to improve student outcomes

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:38+00:00

In an interview with Jude Schwalbach at Reason Foundation, Marguerite Roza urges leaders to stay laser-focused on the federal relief funds’ true purpose: ameliorating learning loss and getting kids back on track.

Marguerite Roza discusses how school districts should use federal COVID-19 relief funds to improve student outcomesdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:38+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Punishment for Making Hard Choices in a Crisis: Federal Prison

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:38+00:00

In this Education Next commentary, Marguerite Roza explains why every education leader should care about what happened to Julia Keleher.

Punishment for Making Hard Choices in a Crisis: Federal Prisondebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:38+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Setting Student Progress as a North Star Would Be a Game Changer

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:39+00:00

Shifting the focus from what districts are purchasing with ESSER funds to what progress students are making would be a game changer, writes Marguerite Roza in The 74.

Setting Student Progress as a North Star Would Be a Game Changerdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:39+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

There Is No ‘Big Quit’ in K-12 Education. But Schools Have Specific Labor Challenges That Need Targeted Solutions

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:42+00:00

There is no 'Big Quit' in K-12 education. But schools have specific labor challenges that need targeted solutions, writes Chad Aldeman in The 74.

There Is No ‘Big Quit’ in K-12 Education. But Schools Have Specific Labor Challenges That Need Targeted Solutionsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:42+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Focus On Student Outcomes, Not How Federal Funds Are Spent

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:42+00:00

Congress attached few strings to federal relief funds and will have to trust school districts to spend the money wisely. Chad Aldeman writes in Forbes that the Feds could now help clarify what the money was for by focusing on the student outcomes that matter most.

Focus On Student Outcomes, Not How Federal Funds Are Spentdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:42+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Spending COVID-Relief Funds

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:45+00:00

With $190 billion in federal relief funds going to schools, Marguerite Roza shares likely spending mistakes districts will make and some prescriptions for how to prevent them.

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Spending COVID-Relief Fundsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:45+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

An Idea For This Moment: Districts Can Pay Families To Help Get Students And Schools Back On Track

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:46+00:00

Sharing a portion of federal relief funds with families offers school districts a chance to re-engage students and parents and sends a message that they are valued partners in solving problems that directly affect them, writes Marguerite Roza in Forbes.

An Idea For This Moment: Districts Can Pay Families To Help Get Students And Schools Back On Trackdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:46+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Ed Finance Guru Marguerite Roza on How Schools Can Best Spend Covid Aid

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:46+00:00

In an interview with Rick Hess, Marguerite Roza shares her take on how school district leaders can spend COVID-19 aid wisely and well.

Ed Finance Guru Marguerite Roza on How Schools Can Best Spend Covid Aiddebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:46+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

The scarcity mindset that plagues education news

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:47+00:00

Education finance is a messy topic for journalists, and this last year has made it especially hard to neatly summarize the issues. Chad Aldeman cautions that reporters who focus exclusively on questions of scarcity may perpetuate a false narrative and miss the biggest education finance story of the last decade: How are district leaders spending their new financial windfalls, and what effect is it having on students?

The scarcity mindset that plagues education newsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:47+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Decrease in Student Enrollment: Forcing Tough Decisions

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:48+00:00

While the infusion of federal relief aid has temporarily protected most school districts from the fiscal impact of enrollment losses, this article in School Business Affairs magazine highlights why it's important to proactively plan now for how to maintain services once those supplemental funds are gone.

Decrease in Student Enrollment: Forcing Tough Decisionsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:48+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Existing Federal Provisions Can – If Given Appropriate Attention – Advance Within-District Financial Equity

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:49+00:00

Four existing federal provisions have potential, if made a priority, to work together to foster within-district financial equity, write Marguerite Roza and Hannah Jarmolowski.

Existing Federal Provisions Can – If Given Appropriate Attention – Advance Within-District Financial Equitydebraabritt2023-02-25T18:17:49+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion Presentations & Meetings

From Paying Parents to Transport Their Kids to School to Calling Out the National Guard — Innovating in the Face of a Bus Driver Shortage

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:08+00:00

How districts react to unusual labor challenges like the bus driver shortage may tell us whether they can adapt to meet the moment and which, if any, will consider adopting innovations common in industries outside of education.

From Paying Parents to Transport Their Kids to School to Calling Out the National Guard — Innovating in the Face of a Bus Driver Shortagedebraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:08+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Districts Like San Diego Could Be Locking Themselves Into Painful Cuts Down the Road

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:09+00:00

Rather than making long-term commitments that can lead to financial stress down the road, Chad Aldeman suggests there are other ways for districts to both raise pay and build capacity.

Districts Like San Diego Could Be Locking Themselves Into Painful Cuts Down the Roaddebraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:09+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Maintenance of Equity: A New Provision with Big Implications for District Budgeting

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:10+00:00

Chad Aldeman and Marguerite Roza explain how an expansive interpretation of a new federal provision could have unintended consequences.

Maintenance of Equity: A New Provision with Big Implications for District Budgetingdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:10+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

5 Ways Principals Can Make Federal Relief Money Matter More For Their Students

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:12+00:00

Marguerite Roza and Laura Anderson map five ways principals can help make the most of the American Rescue Plan dollars, in a blog published by the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

5 Ways Principals Can Make Federal Relief Money Matter More For Their Studentsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:12+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Will the American Rescue Plan’s ‘Meaningful Consultation’ Requirement Usher in Community Participation in School Budgets?

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:14+00:00

In Forbes, Marguerite Roza writes that the federal requirement for “meaningful consultation” on the use of ARP funds sounds like a call for participatory budgeting, and wonders whether it could prompt a new level of civic engagement in school spending.

Will the American Rescue Plan’s ‘Meaningful Consultation’ Requirement Usher in Community Participation in School Budgets?debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:14+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Congress Provided Billions To Schools. Will Districts Spend It Creatively?

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:14+00:00

In this Forbes commentary, Chad Aldeman explains how the American Recovery Plan differs from past federal relief efforts for schools, and what that means for state and district leaders looking to make these one-time dollars count.

Congress Provided Billions To Schools. Will Districts Spend It Creatively?debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:14+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Smart ways to cover the coming ‘year of ed finance’

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:15+00:00

Marguerite Roza offers six tips for reporters on covering how school districts choose to spend $122 billion in flexible American Rescue Plan funds, the biggest onetime federal payout to schools ever.

Smart ways to cover the coming ‘year of ed finance’debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:15+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Let Schools, Not District Offices, Decide How to Spend Some Federal Aid

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:17+00:00

In this Education Next commentary, Marguerite Roza and Jessica Swanson suggest that districts give a portion of federal relief dollars directly to schools to decide how best to spend on behalf of their students.

Let Schools, Not District Offices, Decide How to Spend Some Federal Aiddebraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:17+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Teacher Dissatisfaction May Be High, But So Are Retention Rates

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:17+00:00

Across Washington state, public schools retained a higher percentage of teachers last year than they do in normal years. That's important information for school district leaders as they decide how to spend the windfall of federal relief funds headed their way.

Teacher Dissatisfaction May Be High, But So Are Retention Ratesdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:17+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Billions of Federal Funds Are Coming to Schools. How Should They Spend Them?

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:18+00:00

Adding staff has been the main “big bet” in public education for decades. With new federal relief aid heading to schools, will district leaders meet the moment with new and different ideas for what students need now?

Billions of Federal Funds Are Coming to Schools. How Should They Spend Them?debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:18+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

By Paying Stipends to Schools’ Teaching Staff, Districts Can Add Learning Time Without Breaking the Bank

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:20+00:00

In this commentary at The 74, Chad Aldeman shows how offering current teachers stipends to take on more hours could provide students with additional learning time without locking districts into long-term financial obligations.

By Paying Stipends to Schools’ Teaching Staff, Districts Can Add Learning Time Without Breaking the Bankdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:20+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

With federal relief dollars on the way, districts face big decisions

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:21+00:00

In this Education Next commentary, Marguerite Roza and Chad Aldeman suggest that it's a good time for leaders to employ the classic "would you rather" test to help explore spending tradeoffs and think through the cost and value of competing investments.

With federal relief dollars on the way, districts face big decisionsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:21+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

A way to ease student loan debt without sticking taxpayers with the bill: How about a trade?

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:22+00:00

In this Forbes commentary, Marguerite Roza proposes a way for the federal government to provide student debt relief while putting SS/Medicare back on a financially sustainable path.

A way to ease student loan debt without sticking taxpayers with the bill: How about a trade?debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:22+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Remote or in Person? Underspending or Running Deficits? What School Reopening Decisions Mean for District Budgets

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:24+00:00

An Edunomics Lab analysis finds that while many districts are struggling financially, those that have remained mostly or entirely virtual have actually been able to save money. Some are even on pace to run surpluses this year.

Remote or in Person? Underspending or Running Deficits? What School Reopening Decisions Mean for District Budgetsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:24+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

During the pandemic, lost education jobs aren’t what they seem

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:25+00:00

In this Brookings Chalkboard blog, Chad Aldeman digs into BLS data to find that recent public education job losses stem from a slowdown in hiring, not layoffs or a surge in worker turnover.

During the pandemic, lost education jobs aren’t what they seemdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:25+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Lessons from Spanish Flu — Babies Born in 1919 Had Worse Educational, Life Outcomes Than Those Born Just Before or After. Could That Happen With COVID-19?

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:26+00:00

Chad Aldeman shares an analysis of the life trajectories of babies born during the Spanish Flu, and possible implications for the economic impacts of COVID-19.

Lessons from Spanish Flu — Babies Born in 1919 Had Worse Educational, Life Outcomes Than Those Born Just Before or After. Could That Happen With COVID-19?debraabritt2023-02-25T18:19:26+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Financial Leadership: Meeting This Moment

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:20:43+00:00

This article in School Business Affairs magazine illuminates the critical need to develop district leaders' strategic finance skills.

Financial Leadership: Meeting This Momentdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:20:43+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

How Federal Education Aid Can Tackle The K-Shaped Learning Recovery: Let’s start with $3000 Per Disengaged Student.

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:20:46+00:00

In this op-ed, Marguerite Roza proposes a separate, flexible sum targeted at helping students for whom pandemic schooling isn't working.

How Federal Education Aid Can Tackle The K-Shaped Learning Recovery: Let’s start with $3000 Per Disengaged Student.debraabritt2023-02-25T18:20:46+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

ED Surprises SEAs with New Data Release

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:20:50+00:00

In this blog, Marguerite Roza discusses efforts to make new school-by-school spending data easier to find, interpret, and use.

ED Surprises SEAs with New Data Releasedebraabritt2023-02-25T18:20:50+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

When it Comes to School Funds, Hold-Harmless Provisions Aren’t “Harmless”

jordan2023-02-25T18:20:51+00:00

In this Education Next article, Marguerite Roza and Hannah Jarmolowski share how state leaders can address budget shortfalls without making disproportionate cuts to high-poverty districts.

When it Comes to School Funds, Hold-Harmless Provisions Aren’t “Harmless”jordan2023-02-25T18:20:51+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Financial uncertainty requires leaders to make tough choices and stay focused on students

jordan2023-02-25T18:20:53+00:00

In this invited commentary for The 74, Marguerite Roza and Katie Silberstein discuss how keeping students at the center of decision-making can help leaders make tough choices amid competing pressures.

Financial uncertainty requires leaders to make tough choices and stay focused on studentsjordan2023-02-25T18:20:53+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Straight Talk In Financially Uncertain Times: How District Leaders Can Communicate About The Messy Financial Landscape Coming Their Way

jordan2023-02-25T18:20:55+00:00

In this guest blog post, Laura Anderson and Marguerite Roza share how district leaders can best communicate financial decisions to their staff and communities in order to build trust.

Straight Talk In Financially Uncertain Times: How District Leaders Can Communicate About The Messy Financial Landscape Coming Their Wayjordan2023-02-25T18:20:55+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

How Lawmakers Can Raise Teacher Pay Without Decimating Pension Funds

jordan2023-02-25T18:20:56+00:00

In this op-ed, Marguerite Roza analyzes how making any near-term teacher raises non-pensionable could impact state governments and K-12 teachers and students.

How Lawmakers Can Raise Teacher Pay Without Decimating Pension Fundsjordan2023-02-25T18:20:56+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Waiting for Congress to Bail Out Schools Is a Risky Game of Chicken. Time for Districts to Come Up With Plan B — and for States to Help

jordan2023-02-25T18:20:58+00:00

In this commentary published by The 74, Marguerite Roza worries that a $200 billion ask for a federal bailout for schools seems to be an incomplete strategy, and argues that districts need to work now on the cost side of the equation as well.

Waiting for Congress to Bail Out Schools Is a Risky Game of Chicken. Time for Districts to Come Up With Plan B — and for States to Helpjordan2023-02-25T18:20:58+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

A free college plan that pays for itself

jordan2023-02-25T18:20:58+00:00

In this op ed published by The Hill, Marguerite Roza proposes a way for the federal government to pay for college without boosting federal debt or burdening taxpayers.

A free college plan that pays for itselfjordan2023-02-25T18:20:58+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

What Role Should the Federal Government Play in Addressing State and Municipal Pension Debts?

jordan2023-02-25T18:20:59+00:00

In this guest blog post, Marguerite Roza shares how the federal government might address state and municipal pension debt in the midst of budget shortfalls due to COVID-19.

What Role Should the Federal Government Play in Addressing State and Municipal Pension Debts?jordan2023-02-25T18:20:59+00:00

Opinion

New Financial Data Spotlight the District Role in Distributing Dollars Across Schools

jordan2023-02-25T18:21:00+00:00

In this Education Next article, Marguerite Roza and Laura Anderson share what we’re learning from early explorations of the data and the opportunities it provides for education leaders.

New Financial Data Spotlight the District Role in Distributing Dollars Across Schoolsjordan2023-02-25T18:21:00+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

How the coronavirus shutdown will affect school district revenues

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:21:01+00:00

In this Brookings Chalkboard blog, Marguerite Roza discusses what a larger state role in education funding means for districts during an economic downturn.

How the coronavirus shutdown will affect school district revenuesdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:21:01+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

How States Can Put Students at the Center of Their School Funding Formulas

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:15:24+00:00

In this Hunt Institute "Making Sense of NC School Funding" blog, Marguerite Roza provides a national perspective on how states approach school funding.

How States Can Put Students at the Center of Their School Funding Formulasdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:15:24+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Edunomics Lab against the tide: Yes, eliminate CRDC finance elements

debraabritt2023-02-25T17:29:05+00:00

When the U.S. Department of Education proposed significant changes to the Civil Rights Data Collection, we broke with many of our peer organizations to write in support of eliminating the school finance portion.

Edunomics Lab against the tide: Yes, eliminate CRDC finance elementsdebraabritt2023-02-25T17:29:05+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

One Reason Millennials Might Say “OK Boomer” This Holiday Season

debraabritt2023-02-25T17:29:06+00:00

Past generations racked up billions in teacher pension debt and younger generations are now expected to pay for it. This blog shows how a multi-generational discussion of that topic might play out.

One Reason Millennials Might Say “OK Boomer” This Holiday Seasondebraabritt2023-02-25T17:29:06+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Chicago Teachers Nearing Retirement Paid a Big Price in Striking

debraabritt2023-02-25T17:29:07+00:00

Chicago's senior teachers got hit with a double whammy. As we discuss in this blog, for those at the top of the pay scale retiring in the next four years, the strike meant lost wages and a decrease in future pension payments.

Chicago Teachers Nearing Retirement Paid a Big Price in Strikingdebraabritt2023-02-25T17:29:07+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Chicago’s Teachers Union Agreed to Give Spending Control to Principals. Now, the Union Is Striking to Take It Away

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:12:59+00:00

Chicago teacher contract negotiations stalled over who controls staffing decisions in schools. In this commentary, Marguerite Roza explains why principals should be entrusted to make the spending decisions that best serve their students.

Chicago’s Teachers Union Agreed to Give Spending Control to Principals. Now, the Union Is Striking to Take It Awaydebraabritt2023-02-25T18:12:59+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

A Way to Get School Finances Back Under Control

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:13:03+00:00

This commentary lays out why it may be time for states to establish agencies modeled on the federal Government Accountability Office (GAO) to certify school district obligations before they take effect and push districts into financial crisis.

A Way to Get School Finances Back Under Controldebraabritt2023-02-25T18:13:03+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Training School Leaders to Spend Wisely

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:13:03+00:00

This article in Education Next shines a light on the pressing need to better support district and school leaders in their work on the spending side of the equation.

Training School Leaders to Spend Wiselydebraabritt2023-02-25T18:13:03+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

L.A. District Is Asking for a $500 Million Parcel Tax. In Return, Let the Schools Decide How to Spend Their New Funds

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:13:05+00:00

In this commentary The 74, Marguerite Roza and Anthony Drew note that many of the country’s largest school districts have shifted to a decentralized funding model, allocating funds to schools based on student needs, and boosting equity and transparency in the process. They urge LAUSD leaders to follow suit.

L.A. District Is Asking for a $500 Million Parcel Tax. In Return, Let the Schools Decide How to Spend Their New Fundsdebraabritt2023-02-25T18:13:05+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

DeVos Proposed $50 Million for Districts to Decentralize Federal Money, to Put Schools in the Driver’s Seat. It’s a Smart Idea

debraabritt2023-02-25T18:13:07+00:00

In this commentary in The 74, Marguerite Roza urges legislators to consider a proposed pilot program to give school leaders and staff a say in how federal resources are used in their schools

DeVos Proposed $50 Million for Districts to Decentralize Federal Money, to Put Schools in the Driver’s Seat. It’s a Smart Ideadebraabritt2023-02-25T18:13:07+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

New Education Department guidance on supplement-not-supplant: Sorry not sorry

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:13:08+00:00

In this Brookings Chalkboard blog post, Marguerite Roza discusses new U.S. Department of Education guidance on monitoring the “supplement-not-supplant” (SNS) provision of Title I.

New Education Department guidance on supplement-not-supplant: Sorry not sorryLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:13:08+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

With New Data, School Finance Is Coming Out of the Dark Ages

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:13:24+00:00

In this blog and podcast, Marguerite Roza explains how a sleeper provision in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) will serve up a motherlode of new school-level financial data, offering an unprecedented opportunity to be better equipped to tackle some of education’s most pressing issues.

With New Data, School Finance Is Coming Out of the Dark AgesLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:13:24+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

Are public universities neglecting in-state students?

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:15+00:00

Marguerite Roza responds to an online “Room for Debate” conversation hosted by the New York Times, arguing that chasing after nonresident students threatens the very nature of public universities as institutions that serve the state.

Are public universities neglecting in-state students?Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:15+00:00

Articles & Publications Opinion

How the teacher pay raise formula could worsen Seattle’s inequity

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:21+00:00

In this oped Marguerite Roza describes one critical issue underlying the fall 2015 Seattle Public Schools teachers' strike that neither the Seattle School District nor the Seattle Education Association.

How the teacher pay raise formula could worsen Seattle’s inequityLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:21+00:00

Opinion

Teachers’ Pensions and the Overgrazed Commons

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:24+00:00

Commentary by Marguerite Roza and Michael Podgursky on how big raises to teachers nearing retirement is a recipe for letting pension debt get out of control.

Teachers’ Pensions and the Overgrazed CommonsLaura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:24+00:00

Opinion

ALL

Is spending more on education the best way to improve schools and teaching?

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:24+00:00

Marguerite Roza's response to the NY Times Room for Debate question ~ Is spending more on education the best way to improve schools and teaching?

Is spending more on education the best way to improve schools and teaching?Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:24+00:00

Opinion

Can decentralization improve Seattle schools?

Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:30+00:00

In this op-ed, we argue that when the district decides what positions to fund in a school—rather than the school being empowered to decide based on its community priorities—it destroys goodwill and trust in the school system.

Can decentralization improve Seattle schools?Laura Anderson2023-02-25T18:11:30+00:00

Opinion

K-12 Financial Landscape

Student-Based Allocation

School-by-School Spending