Education Commons^™

Essential Programs And Services Component Review: Multilingual Learner Student Component, Lisa Morris, Amy F. Johnson

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

Introduction

Maine’s public school funding formula, the Essential Programs and Services (EPS) model, allocates resources for districts to support students who need supplemental English language instruction. The additional funds are calculated using a weighting procedure that adjusts the student count upward by a certain amount for each student identified as a Multilingual Learner (ML), formerly referred to as English Learners (ELs). By counting each ML as more than one student the district’s total allocation is increased. The additional weight is an estimate of the added cost of educating ML students relative to their non-ML peers and varies based on the …

Essential Programs And Services Report Of Findings: System Administration Component, James E. Sloan, Sharon Gerrish, Amy F. Johnson

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

SUMMARY

This analysis of the System Administration component of Maine’s Essential Programs and Services school funding model was prepared for the Commissioner of Education as part of the ongoing review of the cost formula, as required by Maine statute. Specific elements for analysis were determined in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education.

Essential Programs And Services (Eps) Component Review: Small And Geographically Isolated School Adjustment, Lisa A. Morris, Amy F. Johnson

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

Background

The Essential Programs and Services (EPS) cost model provides an additional allocation to schools that are identified as small and geographically isolated. Such schools have less opportunity to achieve economies of scale by combining with nearby communities and may also have other additional costs inherent to geographic isolation. The form of the adjustment is a reduced student-to-teacher ratio for schools in lower size categories that meet the geographic isolation criteria, along with an additional per-pupil allocation amount for operation and maintenance of physical plant in island schools. Prior analyses of this adjustment were conducted in 2005, 2006, 2010 and …

Essential Programs And Services Report Of Findings: Gifted And Talented Education, Lisa Morris, Amy Johnson

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

Report Overview

This review of the Gifted and Talented (G&T) funding component within the Essential Programs and Services (EPS) education cost model begins with a summary of our most recent (2019) analyses of the G&T funding patterns and trends in Maine. Next we provide updated data (Part I) about G&T program implementation and enrollment in Maine public schools in FY2020 and FY2021 to confirm that trends from prior studies persist. We then provide a summary of the available research literature on the rationale and effectiveness of G&T programming in order to revisit the underlying tenets of this aspect of Maine’s …

Eps Component Report Of Findings: Benefit Percentages, Lisa Morris, Amy F. Johnson

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

Background

This report presents the analysis and review of the school staff benefits percentages used in the Maine Essential Programs and Services (EPS) funding formula. The EPS funding formula is designed to estimate an appropriate amount of funds a school district needs to provide the programs and services necessary to ensure that all students are provided adequate opportunities to achieve the Maine Learning Results standards. The estimated amount that a district should need to spend is based on student enrollment and student-staff ratios set by the Maine DOE and include amounts for a variety of services (per pupil amounts for …

Report Of Findings On The Student Transportation Cost Component Of The Eps Funding Model, James E. Sloan, Amy Johnson

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

Background

Prior to 2005-06, Maine used an expenditure-reimbursement model for funding transportation costs. School administrative units annually submitted their transportation expenditure to the State, and the school administrative units (SAUs) were reimbursed for a portion of these expenditures based on an ability-to-pay formula. Beginning 2005-06, Maine implemented Essential Programs and Services (EPS), a cost-based school funding model based on two fundamental premises. First, there must be adequate resources in each Maine SAU and school to achieve desired outcomes. In transportation, desired outcomes include safety, reasonable ride times by age group, meeting all student transportations needs including special needs, and others. …

A Preliminary Investigation Of Maine Virtual Charter School Costs Relative To The Essential Programs And Services Funding Model, Amy F. Johnson Phd, Fleur Hopper, James E. Sloan

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

In 2015, the Maine State Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs commissioned the Maine Education Policy Research Institute (MEPRI) to study the state’s Essential Program and Services (EPS) K-­‐12 education funding model in relationship to the funding for Maine’s two virtual charter schools. The study was initiated with a review of available literature and reports on virtual school funding in other states. Because the structure of Maine’s virtual schools differs from typical models in other states, most notably because core academic subject teachers are required to teach from one central physical location, further cost analysis was conducted …

Using Evidence-Based Criteria For Block Grant Funding Of Collaborative Time For Educator Professional Development, Janet C. Fairman Phd, A. James Artesani Edd

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

This report was prepared by the Maine Education Policy Research Institute (MEPRI) at the request of the Maine State Legislature to provide recommendations for the development of a block grant program of supplemental funding to school districts to support evidence-based professional development for educators and/ or leaders or instructional coaching support in schools and classrooms. The report provides guidance to inform decisions on pending legislation, LD 1394, “An Act to Implement the Recommendations of the Commission to Strengthen the Adequacy and Equity of Certain Cost Components of the School Funding Formula”.

The report builds on an earlier MEPRI report which …

An Examination Of Using Social Impact Bonds To Fund Education In Maine, Erika K. Stump Phd, Amy F. Johnson Phd

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

As resolved in H.P. 285 - L.D. 418 (Chapter 52) and requested by the Maine Legislature's Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs, the Maine Education Policy Research Institute (MEPRI) has conducted a study with the purpose of examining current policies and investigating the feasibility of using Social Impact Bonds as a funding mechanism for public education programs in Maine.

Report Of The Commission To Study The Adequacy And Equity Of Certain Cost Components Of The School Funding Formula, Commission To Study The Adequacy And Equity Of Certain Cost Components Of The School Funding Formula

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

The Commission was created by Resolves 2014, chapter 114, legislation that originated with the Joint Standing Committee on Education of the 126th Maine Legislature. Five members were appointed by the President of the Maine Senate; seven members were appointed by the Speaker of the House. The final two members were the Commissioner of Education or designee, and the Chair of the State Board of Education or designee. The names of Commission members and the organizations they represent, are included in Appendix B.

What follows are descriptions and materials related to each section of the Resolve and the final recommendations made …

The Impacts Of Public Charter Schools On Students And Traditional Public Schools: What Does The Empirical Evidence Tell Us?, David L. Silvernail Phd, Amy F. Johnson Phd

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

The goal of this BRIEF was to compile and analyze the available evidence of the impacts of public charter schools on students and schools. Using a series of five common claims made by proponents and opponents of public charter schools as an organizer, the existing empirical evidence was reviewed. The analysis revealed that student performance in charter schools is very mixed. In some cases studies have found positive effects in achievement, others negative effects, and still others no effects. The presence of charter schools has resulted in positive changes in some traditional public schools, while in other cases there appear …

The Relationship Between School Poverty And Student Achievement In Maine., David L. Silvernail Phd, James E. Sloan, Chelsea R. Paul, Amy F. Johnson Phd, Erika K. Stump Phd

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

This Brief presents the findings from a series of analyses designed to explore the connections between poverty and student achievement in Maine schools. It explores how poverty and performance are related, and examines other school and student characteristics that may be connected to student performance.

Implementation Of A Proficiency‐Based Diploma System In Maine: Phase Ii ‐ District Level Analysis, David L. Silvernail Phd, Erika K. Stump Phd, Anita Stewart Mccafferty, Kathryn M. Hawes

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

This report describes the findings from Phase II of a study of Maine's implementation of a proficiency‐based diploma system. At the request of the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Affairs of the Maine Legislature, the Maine Policy Research Institute (MEPRI) has conducted a two‐phased study of the implementation of Maine law LD 1422: An Act to Prepare Maine People for the Future Economy. Phase I of the study in 2012‐2013 reported on the preliminary development, costs and impacts of standards‐based school programs in Maine. Phase II of the study focused on examining school districts in Maine implementing a …

The 2011-2012 Review Of Selected Components In The Essential Programs And Services Funding Formula, David L. Silvernail Phd, James E. Sloan, Amanda Bailey

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of The Essential Programs And Services Systemwide Cost Components: System Administration Operations And Maintenance, David L. Silvernail Phd, James E. Sloan, Amanda Bailey

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

In the original work of the EPS task force, the members concluded that the actual expenditures for these two systemwide EPS components were adequate. Thus, they set the cost of the two components to be actual expenditures. Accordingly, expenditures for these two components have been inflated each year using a CPI, and these cost figures have been used in establishing yearly EPS allocations.

As required by the statute, the System Administration and Operations and Maintenance EPS components were reviewed and updated in 2007-08. But these cost figures were revised as part of the school district reorganization law. The system administration …

Essential Programs And Services Review: The Special Education Funding Model, Walter J. Harris Phd, Ida A. Batista

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

The purpose of this document is to review the special education funding component of the Essential Programs and Services funding model. This component was first implemented in 2005 -2006 and first reviewed in 2007-08. In order to establish a context for this second review, the sections below include an overview of special education and funding in the U.S. and in Maine.

Analysis Of The Essential Programs And Services Limited English Proficiency (Lep) Cost Component, David L. Silvernail Phd, Ida A. Batista

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

The first scheduled review of the LEP component was conducted in 2007-08, with an additional review conducted in 2008-09, as requested by the Joint Standing Committee on Education and Cultural Services. This report describes the results of the regularly scheduled 2010-11 review.

Analysis Of The Essential Programs And Services Disadvantaged Youth Cost Component, David L. Silvernail Phd, James E. Sloan

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

Prior to implementation of EPS, Maine’s funding formula had little in terms of prescribed levels of adjustment to insure vertical equity. But beginning in 2005-06, three vertical equity adjustments were put into place (special needs, LEP, and Disadvantaged Youth), and provisions were included in the law for three year reviews of these adjustments. The Disadvantaged Youth adjustment was first reviewed in Fall 2008. This report describes the results from the second regularly scheduled review in 2010-2011.

The History And Developments Of Maine’S Essential Programs And Services Program, David L. Silvernail Phd

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

The goal of this report is to describe the history, development and current status of one of the key components of Maine’s school funding formula; that is, the Essential Programs and Services cost determination portion of the formula. This report describes the history and the development of the EPS cost determination portion of the formula, and describes how the costs are currently calculated. Descriptions of the second and third major changes in the school funding formula appear in separate materials which are being developed by the Maine Department of Education.

Adequacy-Based Funding For Small, Isolated Schools: An Approach For Maine, Debra M. Allen, James E. Sloan

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Maine School Administrative Unit Size, Costs, And Outcomes, David L. Silvernail Phd, James E. Sloan

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

No abstract provided.

Essential Programs And Services: Equity And Adequacy In Funding To Improve Learning For All Children, Maine State Board Of Education

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

This report has been prepared at the request of the Maine State Legislature. It is an attempt to define and quantify the resources that are necessary for each child in Maine to meet the standards set by the Learning Results. The recommendations provide an adequate and equitable amount of resources. The committee has defined "essential programs" to be the eight content areas of the Learning Results. The essential services are all those resources that would be required for each child to meet the standards.

The services deemed necessary for all students to achieve the Learning Results standards are categorized as …

Financial Characteristics Of High And Low Performing Schools In A Predominantly Rural State, David L. Silvernail Phd

School Funding - Essential Programs and Services (EPS)

Do high performing schools use resources differently than low performing schools? What are the connections between K-12 school funding and academic performance? Today several states (e.g., Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, Ohio, Oregon, etc.) are exploring answers to these questions as they attempt to fund schools adequately and in more efficient ways. The research literature from early production function studies (e.g., Brown & Saks, 1975; Hanushak, 1979, 1989; Harnisch, 1987) provides some partial answers, but some of the most recent studies have unearthed some conflicting results (e.g., Baum, 1986; Hedges, Laine, & Greenwald, 1994; Monk, 1994; Wenglinsky, 1997). In addition, few …