7/29/2019 Public Education Productivity Improvement: The Path Forward for Texas Policymakers

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TCCRIwww.txccri.org 512.474.6042 PO Box 2659, Austin, TX 78768

School Efficiency LitigationExpert Witness Report Summary

Expert: Dr. Don McAdams

Testimony On: Public Education Productivity Improvement: The Path Forward for Texas Policymakers

See full report at: texasclassroomsfirst.com/efficiency

Findings:

An efficient and productive education system must include effective accountability measures. Texas schoolshavent adopted basic accountability measures used in the private sector and other public sector industries.

Productivity: Improved productivity is possible despite contentions to the contrary:

- Texas educational labor costs have steadily increased while productivity has declined.- Deregulation, process innovation, and information technology will increase productivity.

Improved Productivity in District Business Systems:- Does not require any changes in state policy, rather districts must choose to implement

basic productivity systems that are custom in the private sector; including developing and

tracking key performance indicators, and benchmarking against past performance and other

districts. Low performing districts on particular indicators could emulate high performers.

Improved Productivity in Teaching and Learning:- Teaching and learning have an enormously complex set of inputs that can affect the final

output (learning). Macro data (system wide performance) is affected by countless variables

such as individualized students, specific innovations, the aggregate effects of various

innovations, etc. Schools must narrow down which factors are most relevant.

Keys to a productive system: Clear goals and performance metrics:

-Legislature should identify only core subject standards (English, math, science, and history).School boards, districts, and schools may supplement these core subject standards with arts,

sports, etc.

Performance accountability:- Requires a comprehensive system of evaluations and metrics with incentives to perform- Choice is the private sector answer to accountability and should be used in the public sector.

Comprehensive and transparent financial information must be disaggregated making it possible tolink specific expenditures to results creating long-term longitudinal data useful for researchers.

Innovation:- Innovation occurs on the ground level, the state cannot impose innovation. When the state

attempts to impose innovation, it usually imposes unnecessary unfunded mandates.

- Six key areas for innovation:1. How to group students for instructional purposes2. How much time should be dedicated for specific students3. How much work should be assigned and where should it be completed4. How should teachers be best utilized and trained5. How should technology be integrated6. How should districts contract with outside providers for educational purposes

- The traditional public school model that we all grew up with is not necessarily the optimumeducational delivery system and schools should consider dramatically different structures.

Deregulation is necessary to develop innovative and efficient educational delivery systems.

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