Special Report
Education

Table: Maryland Adequacy Studies

January 04, 2005 1 min read
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“A Professional Judgment Approach to Determining Adequate Education Funding in Maryland”

June 2001

“Calculation of the Cost of an Adequate Education in Maryland in 1999-2000 Using Two Different Analytic Approaches”

September 2001

Method and author:Professional-
judgment method by Management Analysis and Planning Inc.
Successful-schools model by Augenblick and MyersProfessional-
judgment method by Augenblick and Myers
Outcome standard:The standard used for adequacy in this study was to allow students to meet the current state standards, with the awareness that at the time the study was conducted, the standards were in the process of changing.Successful schools were identified using the School Performance Index (SPI), which is a combination of schoolwide average MSPAP performance and other indicators, such as attendance, dropout rate, and curriculum.The study had different standards for elementary, middle, and high schools based on Maryland School Performance Assessment Program achievement and attendence rates.
Additional costs included for: Two of the three panels included a cost adjustment for students in poverty, English-language learners, and a high concentration of minority students.This study includes an adjustment for regional cost-of-living differences. Study authors relied on the results of their professional-judgment study to determine the level of additional funding needed for special education students, students in poverty, and English-language learners.Special education students, students in poverty, and English-language learners
Cost estimates:Average per-pupil expenditures ranged from $7,461 to $9,313 for grades K-12, including full-day kindergarten.

Base cost (across all grades without special education, limited-English proficiency, or poverty): $5,969

By school level:
elementary—$6,161
middle—$5,655
high—$5,910

Base cost (across all grades without special education, LEP, or poverty): $6,612

By school level:
elementary—$6,726
middle—$6,160
high—$6,791

This study also found that it would cost an additional $7,748 per special education student, $9,165 per low-income student, and $6,612 for each English-language learner.

In March 2024, Education Week announced the end of the Quality Counts report after 25 years of serving as a comprehensive K-12 education scorecard. In response to new challenges and a shifting landscape, we are refocusing our efforts on research and analysis to better serve the K-12 community. For more information, please go here for the full context or learn more about the EdWeek Research Center.

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