Kevin N. Junk, Ed.S. - July 2024
In 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) mandated that all states conduct Resource Allocation Reviews (RARs) to improve resource equity in districts supporting schools in need of comprehensive or targeted supports. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), in collaboration with the Region 9 Comprehensive Center (R9CC), embarked on a journey to develop, refine, and enhance the effectiveness of their RAR process. The creation of RAR resources was crucial for district and school leaders to ensure that educational resources, such as funding, staffing, and materials, are used efficiently and effectively across Illinois.
Evolution of the RAR Process
The journey to develop Illinois’ RAR process began in August 2023 as a collaborative effort between ISBE and R9CC piloted in six districts in Illinois. Collaborating with pilot districts enabled ISBE and R9CC to reveal quickly where improvements could be made to the initial RAR resources. For example, early on, ISBE introduced prepopulated data visualizations meant to aid in decision making; however, they often left districts puzzled. The data, while rich in content, proved difficult for many to interpret, creating more confusion than clarity. As a result, the intended insights remained elusive, and districts struggled to deliver the anticipated meaningful outcomes.
Compounding this issue was the absence of a structured feedback mechanism. Without a way to capture and respond to the districts’ experiences, ISBE was in the dark about how well the process was received: Were the districts satisfied? Did they understand the RAR process? These questions lingered unanswered, making gauging the true impact of the initiative difficult. As the initial RAR sessions unfolded, participating districts questioned the very purpose of the review, asking, "Why are we doing this?" These candid insights illuminated where the pilot RAR resources needed refinement to improve clarity, engagement, and the creation of actionable outcomes in future RARs.
To address these challenges, in May 2024, ISBE and R9CC developed the following strategies aimed at closing the identified gaps and bolstering the overall effectiveness of the RAR process.
- Preparation and Documentation: ISBE and R9CC responded to the pilot feedback by developing a set of comprehensive documents that laid out the responsibilities of each district and the steps they needed to take to prepare for the upcoming RAR discussions. This was more than just a checklist—it was a roadmap designed to guide districts through the process with clarity and confidence. Within these documents, expectations for the 2-hour RAR sessions were clearly defined. But the support did not end there. ISBE and R9CC also outlined the necessary follow-up actions after the RAR sessions, ensuring that the momentum generated would not be lost once the session ended. To keep districts motivated and engaged, a clear timeline was established, showing them not only when each step needed to be completed but also highlighting the benefits of fully participating in the process. The guidance documents also included a timeline, encouraging districts to dive into the RAR process with enthusiasm and commitment. This careful planning and thoughtful documentation transformed the RAR experience, providing districts with the tools and guidance they needed to navigate the process successfully and reap the rewards of their efforts.
- Pre-RAR Questionnaire: Recognizing the need to better understand how districts perceived their own practices and priorities, ISBE and R9CC introduced a new tool into the RAR process—a pre-RAR questionnaire. This questionnaire assessed how well districts understood effective practices and to identify the priorities they held before the RAR discussions even began. As districts completed the questionnaire, ISBE gained valuable insights into their initial perceptions and preparedness. The questionnaire’s results shaped the upcoming RAR discussions and set a baseline against which ISBE could measure changes and improvements after the sessions. With this tool in hand, ISBE could now chart the journey of each district, tracking their growth and evolution throughout the RAR process. The pre-RAR questionnaire became an essential part of the process, helping to ensure that every district's path toward improvement is grounded in a deep understanding of where they began.
- Post-RAR Evaluation: As the RAR process continued to evolve, ISBE and R9CC knew that the true measure of success would be in the changes it inspired. To capture this transformation, they developed a post-RAR questionnaire. This new tool evaluated the real impact of the RAR process on district perspectives and practices. Now, ISBE could both see where districts started and measure how far they had come. The questionnaire provided a clear picture of how districts were reallocating their resources and adjusting their strategies in response to the insights gained during the RAR sessions. This continuous cycle of feedback became a powerful tool for ongoing improvement. It enabled ISBE to refine the RAR process, ensuring that it remained responsive to the needs of the districts and effective in driving meaningful change.
- Data Visualization Enhancements: After the pilot RARs conducted in 2022 and 2023, ISBE were at a pivotal crossroad. Although the process had made strides, one critical issue remained unresolved: The existing data visualizations were not engaging the districts effectively. Despite the wealth of information they contained, these visuals struggled to connect with their audience, leaving many districts feeling unsure about their data. ISBE, reflecting on the lessons learned from the pilot RARs, realized the data visualizations needed to do more than just present information—they had to tell a story that districts could follow easily and act upon. To achieve this, ISBE decided to pivot to a new tool: POWER BI. This platform offered flexibility and the ability to create more intuitive, dynamic visualizations. Working closely with R9CC, ISBE set out to redesign these visuals, focusing on key areas of resource. The POWER BI data visualizations were designed not just to inform, but to resonate with the districts, aligning with their specific needs and making the data more accessible and actionable.
Guiding Others for Impact and Implementation
ISBE’s efforts to refine execution and effectiveness in resource distribution across districts through improving the RAR process are rooted in a commitment to enhancing the instructional core—the relationships among teachers, students, and content. By refining resource allocation practices, districts are better equipped to support the instructional core, ultimately improving the delivery of high-quality instruction. This focus on resource optimization is not merely about efficiency; it is about ensuring that every student has access to effective learning experiences, which is central to ISBE’s mission.
To achieve this, ISBE, in collaboration with R9CC, developed a standard RAR definition that draws from established literature and is often highlighted as having critical elements in reforms aimed at improving resource allocation practices, such as weighted student funding or student-based budgeting.
- Equitable: Provides resources based on the needs of students and schools such that those with higher needs receive additional resources.
- Transparent: Provides resources through a simple, well-defined, and clearly documented process so that stakeholders understand how resources are allocated to schools and how resource levels are differentiated.
- Engages stakeholders: Allows input in the budgeting and planning process from various education stakeholders, such as school site leaders and staff, parents, and community members.
- Aligns with district goals and priorities: Integrates and aligns with planning and school improvement processes, focuses on improving student outcomes, and offers flexibility to respond to new or shifting goals and priorities.
By prioritizing these principles, ISBE aims to strengthen the relationships among the various actors in the educational system, foster trust, and ensure that resource allocation practices are not only effective but also equitable and transparent. This approach enhances the overall effectiveness of educational delivery and supports the fundamental mission of providing high-quality learning opportunities for every student.
Future Directions and Impact
Moving forward, ISBE and R9CC are committed to further refining their RAR process based on ongoing feedback and evaluation. This includes:
- Sharing best practices: Identifying and disseminating successful resource allocation practices across districts.
- Enhancing guidance: Developing targeted guidance to support districts in meeting the standards of effective resource allocation.
- Supporting Illinois districts: R9CC has created three videos describing three tools that have been created during the past 4 years to help districts allocate their resources effectively. The three video topics are: (1) Braiding and Blending of Funds—Maximizing your federal, state, and local funds; (2) A Community Financial Meeting Tool Kit—How to engage your community in financial conversations; and (3) Resource Allocation Reviews—tools to complete a self-guided RAR for districts.
By continuously improving its approach to RARs, ISBE both enhances educational equity in Illinois and provides a model for other states aiming to optimize resource allocation in support of student success. ISBE’s journey with RARs exemplifies a commitment to continuous improvement and equity in education, guided by transparency, stakeholder engagement, and alignment with district priorities. Through these efforts, ISBE paves the way for impactful resource allocation practices that elevate educational outcomes across the state.