Tool to Assess District Resource Use

We know districts are struggling with shrinking budgets and that many are looking for ways to win stimulus funding. Education Resource Strategies believes the first step toward confronting these budget shortfalls should be to reassess resource use. Time and time again, we’ve seen resource analysis lead districts towards making money go farther while simultaneously improving systems for delivering better instruction. Here we introduceResource Check™ tool, a new tool that district leaders can use independently to get started on this process.

How does it work?
Through our work with urban districts around the country we have identified seven transformational strategies that support high performing schools. High functioning districts align their resources (people, time, and money) to support these strategies. Resource Check provides targeted questions to help district leaders.

• Understand how your resource strategies stack up against those of high functioning districts and
• Identify where you can make resource decisions that will yield sustainable change.
• Use this tool independently or bring together decision makers across departments so you can compare answers and begin a collaborative planning process.

To get more suggestions for resource planning during these difficult times, check out our report, Realigning Resources for District Transformation, co-authored with the Center for American Progress.

Finally, please let us know what you think and what you have learned from Resource Check™ tool. We want to help districts beyond our current district partners. Your feedback with help us do the job better.