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“Estimating the Cost of an Adequate Education in New York” February 2002 | “Resource Adequacy Study for the New York State Commission on Education Reform” March 2004 | “The New York Adequacy Study: Determining the Cost of Providing All Children in New York an Adequate Education” March 2004 | |
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| Method and author: | Cost-function analysis by William Duncombe, Syracuse University | Successful-schools model (district-level analysis) by Standard & Poor’s | Professional-judgment method by American Institutes for Research and Management Analysis and Planning Inc. |
| Outcome standard: | The standard used in this study was a weighted average of performance in math and English from 4th and 8th grade tests, and Regents exams. The study used three benchmarks: 140, 150, and 160 (out of 200). | The authors of the study did not attempt to define an adequate education, and instead estimated the costs associated with meeting four different academic scenarios. | This study used the Regents Learning Standards as its outcome criteria. Panels were asked to design programs to provide all students with a full opportunity to meet the standards, not to ensure all students actually earned a Regents Diploma. |
| Additional costs included for: | Regional cost-of-living differences, cost effectiveness, English-language learners, students in poverty, and district size | Regional cost-of-living differences, special education students, English-language learners, students in poverty, and cost effectiveness | Regional cost-of-living differences, English-language learners, students in poverty, and special education students |
| Cost estimates: | The total per-pupil estimate for a district below the performance standard was $14,083 for a performance level of 140, $14,716 for a performance level of 150, and $15,139 for a performance level of 160. | Cost estimates were calculated for multiple academic scenarios, with or without a cost-effectiveness adjustment, using two different cost indices, and separating out New York City schools. The estimates ranged from $12,659 to $15,413 per pupil. | The study determined cost estimates for several different types of districts. The basic cost estimate was $12,975 for the state overall. For different types of districts, estimates ranged from a low of $11,665 to a high of $14,282. |
