Publications

Getting Down to Facts researchers took a two-pronged approach to uncovering the most valuable information for California policymakers. First they looked broadly at California’s school finance and governance system in order to identify the most important factors that facilitate or hinder the effective use of education resources in California. Second, they targeted a number of crucial areas that a priori appeared particularly important to address in an in-depth exploration of school finance and governance. The researchers aimed to make the best possible use of existing research findings, identifying important holes in existing research and determining whether there were empirical studies that could be performed in the given timeframe to fill some of these holes. The new empirical work stems from this approach. As a result, the studies each provide a strong review of the literature with targeted new empirical additions.
 

Getting Down to Facts

Conceptual Background

Effectiveness Studies

A. School Finance B. Governance and Structural Issues C. Personnel Issues D. Data & Information Systems

Adequacy - Cost Studies

A. Lessons from "Beating-the-Odds" Schools B. Cost-Function & Production Function Approach C. Professional Judgment Panel Approach D. Professional Judgment Survey Approach E. Special Education F. English Language Learners G. Teacher Cost Differences