History of IDEA
Jeannie Oakes, Founder and Former Director
Youth Voice in School Finance
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Without Dollars and Sense Powerpoint
Past Educational Opportunity Reports
Schools tested by budget cuts learn new strategies
- 01-18-2011
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By Larry Abramson/NPR
The size of classes in schools around the country is growing. Half the districts responding to a recent poll say they are increasing class size because of budget pressures. Many school officials fear this will hurt students. But some education reformers say there are ways to boost class size and save money at the same time. Marguerite Roza analyzes school spending for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She's been watching districts deal with tight budgets through across-the-board cuts and other desperation moves. Roza says she's worried that schools view tight spending limits as a lose-lose proposition. "The idea that money has no flexibility prevents districts from making some choices early on that would help them in the long run," she says. Roza is pushing for adoption of a number of efficiency measures that would help schools, even when fatter budgets return. One suggestion is to create a rigorous teacher evaluation system so schools know which teachers are most effective. Roza says it would allow districts to increase the size of some classes. (more…)
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