Resource Inequities Planning Requirements

Fiscal Resources

Resource examples: State, federal, local, grant funding

Inequity examples:

• Funding formulas account for average salaries or FTE rather than actual cost of highly qualified educators
• Resource allocation methods are based on equal per-pupil allocations versus equitably differentiated by need
• Capacity to apply and compete for grant funds and the reporting requirements that follow once awarded
  • The school’s local and state allocations were determined in a manner that is neutral or did not consider the school’s Title I status.

• How are highly qualified teachers distributed to schools that need them most?
• How are resource allocation methods meeting both base costs and supplemental needs?
• How can access to grant funds be streamlined and supported?
  • Are the LEA’s methodology for determining school level allocations neutral of the schools’ Title I status?

Human Resources

Resource examples: Qualified and certified educators, teaching out of certification, years of experience, student–teacher ratio, support staff ratio, school leader experience, teacher and administrator turnover rates

Inequity examples:

• Schools with a higher number of teachers teaching out of certification 
• Staffing ratios are inconsistent across the district 
• New teachers and administrators are placed at high-poverty schools

• What data are used to make staffing decisions? 
• How are teachers supported in high-needs schools? 
• How are additional staff allocated to supplement schools that qualify for CSI, ATSI, or other intensive supports?

Time Organization and Structure

Resource examples: Time for professional learning, collaboration, planning, school master scheduling (extended learning and out-of-school), access to in-school electives and interventions

Inequity examples: 

• Professional learning is offered that is important, but it is optional
• Professional learning opportunities are aligned to teachers’ PD needs, job-embedded, and ongoing

• What types of support resources are allocated to provide additional planning or collaboration time for educators? 
• Does the school calendar or master schedule allow enough planning and collaboration time? • Does the school calendar accommodate local needs and efficiently address absentee hotspots?
  • Are the professional growth of educators evaluated and used to identify PD plans? 
  • Are PD plans structured such that all educators with identified needs have access to the needed PD?

Equipment, Materials and Supplies

Resource examples: Equipment leases, inviting school spaces , curriculum, instructional materials, library books, technology

Inequity examples: 

• Newest teachers have old instructional materials that are not aligned with current curriculum
• Special education teachers do not have a set of general education curricular resources (general and special education)

• Do curriculum and materials meet the needs of all students? • Do staff have the capacity to utilize the provided materials fully?
• Do learning environments create a positive and safe learning space?

Programs and Services

Resource examples: Extra-curricular enrichment activities (sports, arts, band, etc.), STEM/ STEAM programs, specialists (interventionists, reading and math specialists, instructional coaches, family engagement staff), translators, parent education, dual-immersion programs, AP classes, dual-enrollment classes, mentoring

Inequity examples: 

• Lack of student access to AP exams due to cost
• Lack of student access to programs (for example, dual enrollment) due to transportation
• Course and program offerings are not available across the district
• Counseling does not provide consistent programming to students for coursework requirements

• What are the spending priorities for this year?
• How are the needs of the lowest performing student groups being met?
• What electives or enrichment opportunities are available, and do they align with the existing needs of students?
• Do all students have fair and equitable access to programs and services? If not, what strategies are being used or could be used to remove barriers to access?

Community collaboration and partnerships

Resources examples: Parent engagement, partnerships with organizations (after-school programs, health clinics, universities, libraries, community organizations) 

Inequity examples: 

• Different levels of access to after-school care 
• Different levels of access to community art and music programs 
• Different levels of access to college counseling for first-generation families

• How are parents informed of the differentiated support their children are receiving?
• Do any of our families face challenges or could face challenges with accessing information about supports for students?
• How are community partnerships leveraged to enhance provided support?
• How are parents and community members engaged in the planning process?