EDLD 5342 Week 2; Part 1

In the interview between Dr. Steve Jenkins and Dr. Elivs Arterbury, the concept of goal driven budgeting was discussed in detail.  According to Dr. Arterbury, the purpose of goal driven budgeting is to ensure that all stakeholders work collaboratively to attain the shared vision of the district and campuses.  This shared vision is reached by aligning the budget process to the district goals in the district improvement plan.  The campus goals or campus improvement plan should then be aligned to the district plan and ultimately support the district vision and mission.

My current district improvement plan identifies goals for student performance, alternative assessments, learning opportunities, and safe and secure schools.  The student performance goal states that each student group will perform at or above state average in Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies.  The district allocated local and federal Title dollars to purchase instructional resources.  Specifically, the district adopted a district-wide vertically aligned curriculum called C-Scope which requires a large amount of funding (approximately $250,000). 

In order to support the implementation of the curriculum, the district plan also supports the need for eighteen instructional coach positions.  The goal states that each of the nine campuses will have instructional coaches for Language Arts/Social Studies and Math/Science.  The positions are funded with Title funds. 

The district’s assessment goals include the development of district benchmark assessments that are aligned to the TEKS.  Additionally, alternative assessments are required to meet the needs of special education and 504 students.  The district plan shows that $20,000 of local funds will be devoted to ensuring that assessments are developed. 

Under the district’s fourth goal, all students will benefit from programs that contribute to their health and safety.  One of the objectives explains the district’s intention to participate in the CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child’s Health) program.  The cost is $16,036, and is funded through the local budget and the “Texas Fitness Now Grant.” 

The district budget is included in the district improvement plan in the appendix.  All of the funding sources are listed and linked directly to the goals identified throughout the plan.  This is an excellent example of goal driven budgeting.