School Resource Allocation

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (2016), U.S. public schools spent $620 billion in 2012-2013, with an average of $12,296 spent per pupil; however, the reality is that many public school districts across the U.S. are facing budget reductions and possible school closures due to limited funding. National Center for Education Statistics (2016) reports that school closures have increased from 954 in 1995-1996 to 1,737 in 2012-2013. School leaders need to constantly aware of budgeting and how to make the most of the resources they have. More so, educators and school administrators need to be creative when managing their fiscal and human resources (Schilling & Tomal, 2013).

Budgeting and appropriate accounting are fundamental to proper fiscal management of schools, and since student achievement and success is the expected output, school districts and schools must align goals, objectives, and outcomes to student success (Schilling & Tomal, 2013). California is taking strides toward this type of accountability. Watch this video about the California School Dashboard:

Student achievement and success is the ultimate goal of every school, and administrators can optimize resources by considering how resources are allotted and manage how those resources are producing results. Administrators can improve school resources and student achievement by using a systems thinking model. Listen to an overview of what systems thinking is:

Systems thinking allows principals and other stakeholders to work as a team to determine the best ways to improve student achievement, student success, and allocate the resources to do so. Even though schools may face smaller budgets and greater expectations, schools can rise to the challenge by working together to ensure student success.

References:

National Center for Education Statistics (2016). Fast facts: Closed schools. Retrieved on March 15, 2017, from https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=619

National Center for Education Statistics (2016). Fast facts: Expenditures. Retrieved on March 15, 2017, from https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=66

Schilling, C. & Tomal, D. (2013). Resource management for school administrators: Optimizing fiscal, facility and human resources. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education.