Ensuring adequate allocation and equitable distribution of resources for schools
The success of the public school system rests on many factors, but none is more important than ensuring the financial health of the system. The Cowen Institute works to understand the scope of the complex financial situation resulting from the fragmented and decentralized management of schools; securing adequate funding for schools, ensure fiscal responsibility, and ensure equitable distribution of funds. Currently, we are researching, drafting, and advancing policy and legislative recommendations to address the inequities in funding for schools, specifically addressing local and state allocations. The Cowen Institute also works closely with the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB), the Louisiana Department of Education (LDE), the Recovery School District (RSD) and other partners to ensure both transparent and accurate financial reporting.
General information on public education financing in Louisiana[more info]
Louisiana Education Funding and the Southern Regional Average
During the 2010 Regular Legislative Session, the Cowen Institute testified in front of the Senate Finance Committee in support of SCR 20, the MFP resolution which would have increased baseline funding for schools by 2.75%. The Cowen Institute also made a similar presentation to BESE at the August 2010 meeting. The materials presented are available here.
Public Education in New Orleans: A Financial Analysis
In February 2009, the Cowen Institute released a paper on public school finances. [Download here]
Notably, this is the first effort to gather and analyze financial data for all of the public schools currently operating in New Orleans. The purpose of this paper is to:
Trace the sources of revenue that support public schools in New Orleans and to analyze how it has been allocated and spent;
Highlight some of the financial issues arising from the complexities faced by the various school operators and districts; and
Provide recommendations on how to eliminate the barriers to sound financial analysis.
This report takes a comprehensive look at publicly available financial documents for the Recovery School District (RSD), Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB), and a number of individual charter schools. Our findings show that individual school operators and the two school districts in New Orleans face several financial challenges. Based on the information contained in this report, we offer a number of major recommendations including the following:
Increasing transparency and financial accountability for school districts and operators;
Changing the rules that govern how funds are shared across schools; and
Revising budgets to bring revenue and spending into alignment.
Finances
Ensuring adequate allocation and equitable distribution of resources for schools
The success of the public school system rests on many factors, but none is more important than ensuring the financial health of the system. The Cowen Institute works to understand the scope of the complex financial situation resulting from the fragmented and decentralized management of schools; securing adequate funding for schools, ensure fiscal responsibility, and ensure equitable distribution of funds. Currently, we are researching, drafting, and advancing policy and legislative recommendations to address the inequities in funding for schools, specifically addressing local and state allocations. The Cowen Institute also works closely with the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB), the Louisiana Department of Education (LDE), the Recovery School District (RSD) and other partners to ensure both transparent and accurate financial reporting.
General information on public education financing in Louisiana [more info]
Louisiana Education Funding and the Southern Regional Average
During the 2010 Regular Legislative Session, the Cowen Institute testified in front of the Senate Finance Committee in support of SCR 20, the MFP resolution which would have increased baseline funding for schools by 2.75%. The Cowen Institute also made a similar presentation to BESE at the August 2010 meeting. The materials presented are available here.
Public Education in New Orleans: A Financial Analysis
In February 2009, the Cowen Institute released a paper on public school finances. [Download here]
Notably, this is the first effort to gather and analyze financial data for all of the public schools currently operating in New Orleans. The purpose of this paper is to:
This report takes a comprehensive look at publicly available financial documents for the Recovery School District (RSD), Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB), and a number of individual charter schools. Our findings show that individual school operators and the two school districts in New Orleans face several financial challenges. Based on the information contained in this report, we offer a number of major recommendations including the following:
Additional Links and Resources
Recovery School District’s Budget Web Page
Orleans Parish School Board’s Budget Web Page
Louisiana Department of Education’s Web Page on MFP Funding
Please contact Nash Molpus at nmolpus@tulane.edu or 504-274-3686 for additional information.