Home » District Partners » St. Paul Public Schools

St. Paul Public Schools

District Partner 2006-2007

ERS partnered with St. Paul Public Schools (SPPS) to deepen the district’s understanding of its current school system spending.

Work Focus

To create a resource map  of SPPS’ allocation of people, time, and money and to identify opportunities to redirect resources for effective school improvement.

Some Results

ERS completed its analysis—which included a comparison of spending at the system level by function and a high-level analysis of how schools use their existing people, time, and money in comparison to research-based ways of improving student performance. The analysis, along with a series of interviews with leaders throughout the district and working sessions with key district leaders, led to the publication of a comprehensive report, Toward a Strategic Use of Resources in Saint Paul Public Schools: A Review of the SPPS FY2006 Spending Strategy with Recommendations.

This report contains four priority recommendations:

  • Use a “pull-in” model to provide special education services.
  • Develop an accountability system to ensure the strategic use of school resources.
  • Provide training for principals regarding strategic use of resources.
  • Develop a district-wide professional development (PD) strategy that aligns PD with SPSS’ priorities.

These priorities were identified during the analysis process, as ERS served as outside counsel in cabinet meetings and facilitated the prioritization of the school system’s strategic imperatives.

Share |