School Finance Adequacy and School Improvement: One View from New Jersey Margaret E. Goertz University of Pennsylvania

Abbott Remedies Parity funding for regular education Programs to meet special educational needs of students –Early childhood education and full day kindergarten –Social and health services –Security, technology, alternative schools –Whole school reform; early literacy Facilities

Fiscal impact of Abbott Remedies Abbott districts’ share of state aid increased from 42% in to 56% in Spending in Abbott districts increased more than $5000 per pupil in same time period. Abbott districts are highest spending in the state.

Use of New Dollars State specified resource allocation in late 1990s. Linked to WSR models in elementary schools. Schools followed state model budgets. Reallocated some staff to fill positions. Added staff to reduce class size and provide student support services, security, technology, basic skills teachers, instructional support (e.g. facilitators). In most cases, total staffing exceeded what was required by the WSR models.

Use of New Dollars: Abbott Elementary Schools About 50% for core academic teachers and specialists. About 15% for extra help. About 15% for PD, materials and other instructional support. About 9% for student and parental support services. About 10% for non-instructional activities.

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Challenges Moving from resource adequacy to instructional improvement. Lack of improvement in grades 8 and 11. Defining adequacy for non-Abbott districts.