2. Getting The Facts Right
“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our
wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they
cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”
President John Adams (1770)
“... be relentless about acquiring quality data … focus on analysis and
evidence-based decision making … go where that evidence leads”.
Gates Foundation – Education Commission of the States
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8. Texas Education Code
Sec. 42.102. COST OF EDUCATION ADJUSTMENT
The basic allotment for each district is adjusted to reflect the geographic
variations in known resource costs and costs of education due to factors
beyond the control of the school district.
The Cost of Education Index is intended to compensate for regional variations
in resource cost by providing a means of converting a statewide value into an
equivalent local value.
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9. Resource Costs
The Most Basic of Public Education Resource Cost
Average Base Salary of Teachers
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10. Education Cost Index and Teacher’s Salaries
Develop a Cost of Education Index that more accurately represents
the geographic variations in average salary for all teachers.
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12. Improve the Cost of Education Index
1. Distorts any analysis of equity.
2. Must achieve its statutory goal.
3. Reviewed before each legislative session.
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14. Fundamentals of Public Education Finance
The 200 Largest Public School Districts in Texas
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15. Leveling the Field in Public Education Finance
Adjusted for Regional Costs and Student Demographics
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16. Fundamentals of Public Education Achievement
The 200 Largest Public School Districts in Texas
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17. Leveling the Field in Public Education Achievement
Adjusted for Student Demographics
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18. Developing a Framework for Managing Performance
Our goal must be to measure the quality of the district’s leadership and the
effectiveness of their programs, not the demographics of their students.
A Productivity Model demonstrates how effective each district is at taking
the public’s resources and converting them into academic achievement.
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27. A Call to Action
Access to Information for:
Understanding organizational performance
Analyzing strengths and weakness
Identifying best practice organizations
Setting goals and monitoring progress
Developing effective policies and strategies
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