Good explanation, Dr. Heim.
“It will be important to learn about and understand some critical aspects of the study. The first concerns the assumptions being made in the formulation of funding models. Does the researcher assume that all districts are alike, or is the researcher making assumptions about variations in local districts that need to be accommodated? Functions such as school and district size, location, population density, demographics and cost-of-living are assumed to affect funds necessary for educating students in our current finance model. Will they be included in this new study?
“Another set of assumptions has to do with individual students. Do different students have different learning needs? Do these needs translate to additional costs? Does the funding model allow for the differences associated with poverty, social and emotional needs or trauma? It will be important to understand how a study provides for students with additional needs.
“Assumptions can also be made about how money can be spent. Does the researcher lump all funds together and assume that all money can be spent directly on classroom instruction? Some studies do not allow for the fact that funds like school lunch cannot be spent on an additional teacher. How will this study treat different funds?
“While the aforementioned assumptions and issues are important, the most important aspect of any school finance study is the measurement of success. For over a decade, schools were measured by a reading score and a math score. The courts, legislature, executive branch and state board of education of Kansas have all acknowledged the need to move beyond this limited view of student success. The Rose Standards have been endorsed by all of the previously mentioned groups as what Kansas students need. Any study that ignores these as an outcome does not fit the expectations of success for Kansans. The Kansas State Board of Education’s Kansas Can vision defines what Kansans want for our children.
“By changing assumptions and desired outcomes, the total dollars necessary to fund a system can be changed dramatically. It is essential the we learn about the principles behind the new study that is being conducted. Please take the time to get educated.”
Originally posted to Facebook on 2/21/2018.