1	Revising NJ’s School Funding Formula Key Parameters and Policies
2	School Funding in NJ CEIFA has not been run since 2001-02. Up until last year, state aid had been frozen for most districts at the 01-02 levels. Last year, non-Abbott school districts saw the largest school aid increase since 2000 FY08 was a building block to a new formula; we are now doing the complete formula. Goal is to create a fair, equitable, and predictable funding formula for FY09 based on student characteristics, regardless of zip code.
3	School Spending in NJ New Jersey per pupil spending is the highest in the nation (NCES, FY 2005) NJ school spending per pupil in FY05 - $14,117 US Average in FY05 - $8,701 New Jersey state aid per pupil in FY05 is the 5^th highest in the nation Only higher are: VT, HI, AK, and DE.
4	Two Phases in Developing a School Funding Formula Phase I - Determine the cost of providing a thorough and efficient education Professional Judgment Panel (PJP) Process December 2006 Report on the Cost of Education Experts’ Review of December Report Advisory Committee to DOE Phase II – Allocate the costs between the State and local school districts
5	Phase I – PJP Process In 2002, panels of professionals were formed to identify the resources necessary to ensure adequate provision of NJ’s educational standards Panels identified resources for 6 representative districts (based on size) Panels specified resources separately for regular education students and students with special needs (e.g. at-risk, LEP). DOE assigned costs to the PJP panel resources using 04-05 cost data. Formulas were developed to estimate costs for any district, accounting for demographics, size, and configuration. Costs were adjusted by Chambers’ Geographic Cost of Education Index.
6	December 2006 Report on the Cost of Education In December 2006, the Department issued the Report on the Cost of Education based on the PJP results. After issuance, the Department held several public hearings on the report and hired three school finance experts to review the report - Allan Odden, Lawrence Picus, and Joseph Olchefske. Allan Odden’s summary of all 3 reviews was completed in February, 2007 and demonstrated the majority of resources determined by the PJP process were satisfactory when compared with another cost estimate approach - the Evidence-Based model (EB).
7	Expert Review of December 2006 Report on the Cost of Education Odden’s summary specifically found PJP model resources met or exceeded the Evidence-Based Standards in the following areas: Class size and number of teachers; Librarian, media aides and technology specialists; Nurses and additional pupil support staff; School and central office resources; Books, materials, equipment; Student activities; Substitute recommendation; and Resources for English Language Learners.
8	Expert Review of December 2006 Report on the Cost of Education Odden’s summary recommended three changes to the PJP resources and/or costing out: Definition of at-risk students should include students eligible for reduced-priced lunches and weight for at-risk students should not decrease as concentration of at-risk students increases. Mean salaries should be applied to cost models. Cost for professional development should be higher.
9	Work since December 2006 Between April and August of 2007, DOE hosted stakeholder and legislator meetings on school funding policy areas: Transportation and property tax issues; school choice, charter schools, vocational schools; early childhood education; and special education. During the summer of 2007, DOE formed advisory panel to further guide the process – Tom Corcoran from Columbia University; Susanna Loeb from Stanford University, and David Monk from Pennsylvania State University DOE, in consultation with the advisory panel, compared the recommendations from all sources and analyzed the additional changes to create a workable, viable formula.
10	Changes since December
11	Changes since December (cont.)
12	Changes since December (cont.)
13	FY09 Adequacy Budget
14	Equalization Aid Aid is distributed by a foundation formula, same as QEA(1991) and CEIFA(1996). The concept: Adequacy Budget represents the sufficient level of resources to ensure the provision of NJ’s educational standards. Adequacy Budget is supported by both a state and local share. Local Fair Share represents what a community should be able to contribute in local property taxes. Equalization Aid = Adequacy Budget - Local Fair Share
15	Phase II – Determining Local Fair Share and Allocating State Aid Local Fair Share is based on property value and income and is the same calculation as under current law For half of the local fair share, everyone pays the same equalized tax rate (tax levy divided by market value of property) For the other half, everyone pays the same percentage of income
16	Special Education Aid Adopt a census approach used by other states - flat amount per student based on average classification and average cost. A portion of the aid will be paid through equalization aid as part of the adequacy budget. A portion will be paid as categorical aid. Supplement census with extraordinary aid that is funded at a greater percentage and uses updated thresholds, provided as categorical aid.
17	Benefits of NJ Hybrid Census Approach to Special Education Funding Approach recognizes lack of correlation between disability category and cost. Reduces incentive to over-classify students. Increases categorical aid to districts for extraordinary costs and compensates districts that have a higher percentage of children with greater and more expensive needs. Provides predictable level of special education funding. Minimizes administrative burdens and provides districts with greater discretion and flexibility.
18	Security Aid Paid as categorical aid, i.e., not based on a community’s wealth Base amount per pupil for every student plus an additional amount per free or reduced lunch student The additional allocation will gradually increase for districts based on free or reduced concentration.
19	Charter Schools, Choice and Transportation Aid Aid will continue to follow the charter school students (excluding only transportation aid). A percentage of aid will continue to remain with the sending district. Pending reauthorization of the School Choice Act, existing choice students will receive aid as residents of the choice district. Transportation Aid will be provided using updated mileage and enrollment counts.
20	Pre-Kindergarten Expand educational opportunities for all low-income children in NJ Expansion will be phased-in to ensure high quality Districts will be required to offer full-day pre-K to: All 3 & 4 year olds in districts with DFG “A” or “B”, or DFG “CD” with an at-risk concentration of at least 40% All at-risk 3 & 4 year olds At-risk = eligible for free and/or reduced lunch
21	Timeline for a New Formula Goal is to enact legislation so formula is in place in time for the Governor’s FY 2009 budget address and so that school aid figures can be provided in a timely manner for preparation of FY2009 school budgets.