School Budget Hold em. NGA Center for Best Practices Resource Reallocation Policy Academy June 27, 2012

Transcription

1 School Budget Hold em NGA Center for Best Practices Resource Reallocation Policy Academy June 27, 2012

2 Since the pie is not growing, transformation requires making difficult trade-off decisions In order Note: to Color Preserve/Invest coded to the in Seven Transformational We need to Cut/Redeploy Strategies (see Resources appendix) from Underfunded student types/ school levels/schools Teacher Evaluation Systems/ Teaching Quality/Best Teachers Data driven teaching team collaboration, PD and coaching Core instruction Academic instructional time Early intervention in general ed settings Efficient central office services Systems that streamline decisions and compliance reporting Overfunded student types/school levels/schools Low Performing Teachers, COLA/Step/Lane increases Class size, unstructured individual planning time and one size fits all PD Non-core instruction Non-academic/unfocused time Overly prescriptive IEPs, over identification of behavioral issues Underutilized facilities Clerical and compliance focused central staff Education Resource Strategies NGA Resource Reallocation Policy Academy 2

3 Now it s time to play School Budget Hold em An interactive game to help districts make thoughtful trade-offs as part of the budgeting process Encourages transparency and accessibility Hold Em Experience Ga DOE + 5 districts Rochester, NY Duval County, FL Prince George s County, MD Memphis, TN Cleveland, OH Aspen CFO/CAO network Council of Chief State School Officers PIE Network Education Resource Strategies NGA Resource Reallocation Policy Academy 3

4 Why a card game? Removes us from the traditional budget process of fighting for resources within silos Focuses on investing in district priorities by freeing resources from low value- added historic uses Enables teams to engage in open exploration of a range of options available to the district in a low stakes environment Builds understanding of relative size of different options Playing cards frees non-spreadsheet types to interact in new ways with the budgeting process Education Resource Strategies NGA Resource Reallocation Policy Academy 4

5 ERS Resources: School Budget Hold 'em is more than a game... it's an interactive exploration of the thoughtful trade-offs school administrators have to make in these challenging budget times. What is a Hold Em Card? Category Class Size 2.0% Description of savings or investment option Investment or Savings as % of budget Explanation FYI: Additional information Education Resource Strategies NGA Resource Reallocation Policy Academy 5

6 Things to consider Select cards carefully not all the choices are strategic Consider inter-relationships Not all choices are independent of each other. Some choices may reduce the value of other choices you can choose one or the other or make a rough estimate of additional changes. Accept approximation The budget percentages are estimates built from averages and including high-level assumptions. They are meant to be directionally correct, but actual district results could vary widely. Budget cutting in education means cutting staff positions there will be pain, the question is whether there are ways to leverage it to accelerate the freeing of resources from unproductive structures Education Resource Strategies NGA Resource Reallocation Policy Academy 6

7 How to play: The Object of the Game Use the Hold em cards provided to create a hand of investment and savings options to create a budget that moves toward improved district performance while still meeting a budget reduction target of 5%. Instructions Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Assign Roles (Score Keeper & Task Master)and Review Process Read: Quickly read through the sample deck and create piles for yes, no, or maybe for each option. Review priorities and select your investments: As a group review the scenario and priorities presented and then identify the top investments you would like to include in your hand. Finalize your hand: Identify new budget total and find savings to meet it. 5 min 20 min 25 min 10 min Education Resource Strategies NGA Resource Reallocation Policy Academy 7

8 Discussion Questions 1. What were the biggest insights and/or surprises regarding opportunities for district transformation during budget-cutting times? 2. What particular investments or savings would be feasible or challenging in your state? 3. What role can the state play to achieve desired investments and savings? 4. What action will you take? Education Resource Strategies NGA Resource Reallocation Policy Academy 8

9 In this paradigm the State plays a number of different roles to influence behavior Barrier Breaker Capacity Builder Service Broker Incentive Provider Influencer Mandate Maker The State removes internal regulations and rules that constrain district flexibility and/or force investment misalignments The State builds the capacity of districts to improve teaching effectiveness thru PD, tools, access to data, models of best practice The State identifies providers of services that meet high standards and structures access and networks The State establishes structures, including innovation grants, that encourage certain behaviors or practices The State works with other stakeholders (unions, legislature) to increase understanding of barriers to improving teaching effectiveness The State mandates certain practices, processes or investments that have a compelling State priority Education Resource Strategies NGA Resource Reallocation Policy Academy 9

10 Take Action Play Hold em: holdem.erstools.org Encourage your network to consider a new conversation around trade-offs Facilitators Guide allows groups to play independently Online version allows you to share your hand Use your role to advance reform Change the debate over how to navigate tough times Continue to advocate for changes in state policy and laws that limit effective resource use Education Resource Strategies NGA Resource Reallocation Policy Academy 10

11 Education Resource Strategies NGA Resource Reallocation Policy Academy 11

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13 Appendix Education Resource Strategies NGA Resource Reallocation Policy Academy 13

14 Potential Hand: Invest in Teaching Effectiveness Net budget cut = 5.0% This hand prioritizes teaching effectiveness while achieving impressive savings from operational efficiencies, targeted class size increases, and adjustments to compensation.- Investments Education Resource Strategies NGA Resource Reallocation Policy Academy 14

15 Potential Hand: Invest in Teaching Effectiveness Net budget cut = 5.0% Savings Education Resource Strategies NGA Resource Reallocation Policy Academy 15

16 Potential Hand: Balancing Quality with Big Savings Net budget cut = 5.0% This hand prioritizes teaching quality and instruction in core academic subjects, taking advantage of low and no-cost improvements and the largest savings levers school funding, operations, class size, compensation, staffing policies. Investments Education Resource Strategies NGA Resource Reallocation Policy Academy 16