More Than 60 School Districts Have Teamed Up for Better School Budgets

By Alex Harwin and Sarah D. Sparks

Since 2013, a growing network of more than 60 school districts nationwide have participated in the Government Finance Officers Association’s Smarter School Spending Coalition, intended to use continuous improvement strategies to help schools bring their budgets more in line with their academic priorities.

The group so far represents mostly urban and suburban districts with higher than average student poverty and, on average, significant populations of English-language learners and students in special education. Officials in the districts have suggested the approach—and the network of other school leaders—have helped them make the most of limited school dollars.

See Also:
• Educators, Finance Officers Team Up to Build a Better Budget
• Continuous Improvement: A Closer Look (Collection)

SOURCE: Education Week Research Center analysis of Smarter School Spending Alliance Members and CCD District Data, 2018.

NOTE: One district, the Education for Change Public Schools in Oakland, Calif., is included in this analysis but not depicted in the map, because accurate location data was not available.

Coverage of continuous-improvement strategies in education is supported in part by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation at www.gatesfoundation.org. Education Week retains sole editorial control over the content of this coverage.