Equity and Adequacy of Resources to Support Performance Based Graduation Requirements

at Beacon Charter High School for the Arts

Michael SkeldonOctober 16, 2010

The Problem School districts are required to meet

performance based measures as well as prepare students for high stakes tests› NECAP› PARCC

Performance-basedcriteria have notgone away

Research Question Are existing resources up to the task of

preparing students for Beacon’s graduation requirements?

Review of the Literature Linkage of educational opportunities to

the Fourteenth Amendment brought the issue of equity to the forefront of education reform attempts in the second half of the twentieth century

Guthrie (2008):EDUCATION FINANCE POLICY=EDUCATION

POLICY`

Review of the Literature, continued

Guthrie further states: Increase in spending has not led to a

corresponding increase in student achievement

Changes have beenreactionary, isolated and not systemic nor comprehensive

Review of the Literature, continued

Current conflicting viewpoints on adequacy:› Funding should be ties to student

achievement (performance based) -Hanushek and Lindseth (2009)

› Judicial system still the best place for determination of adequacy-Rebell (2009)

Review of the Literature, continued

Rhode Island’s PBGR System:› NECAP -> PARCC› Selection of 2 out of 3 performance

measures (no longer at the forefront of reforms): Comprehensive end-of-course exams Academic Portfolio Senior Capstone Project

Budgetary concerns raised – Cech (2008)

How did northern RI districts respond?

Graduation Requirements by District in Northern Rhode Island

Fiscal Impact of PBGR Options

Increased course requirements requires increased human resource expenses

End-of-course examinations – similar to what was already in place offers significant cost savings

Portfolios require no curriculum to be written, perhaps a hosting fee

Senior project, if open-ended requires no courses to be developed nor taught

BEACON

’S PERFORM

ANCE BASED

G

RADUATIO

N REQ

UIREM

ENTS

Click icon to add picture

Clockwise from top left: Capstone Filmmaking Course, Portfolio Presentation, and Judges Question a Student.

Per Pupil Expenditures for Beacon’s Primary Sending Districts

Beacon Burrillville Cumberland North Smithfield Woonsocket $10,000.00

$10,500.00

$11,000.00

$11,500.00

$12,000.00

$12,500.00

$12,034.00 $11,893.00

$11,090.00

$12,060.00

$12,357.00

Are Beacon’s Resources Adequate?

In 2010, 15/51 (29%) seniors failed Beacon’s portfolio and/or Capstone requirements

Seven students (14%) failed both More than 50% of those who failed

were special needs

What changes could be made to the requirements to make them more manageable?

What supports could be put into place to improve results?