When new legislation passes, PSBA is seen as the
leader in analyzing it and helping members make sense of it.
PSBA's Education Research & Policy Center |
The PSBA Education Research & Policy Center identifies existing and emerging critical issues affecting public education and public school governance, and then develops materials to build understanding of these issues across a broad group of constituents. Those materials include reports, white papers and other resources to advance public education and school governance.
David Davare Ph.D., director of Research Services for PSBA leads the center and is supported by his current team Todd Hosterman, senior research specialist; and Anne Herald, research supervisor. The center is housed within the existing PSBA structure, both from a physical as well as personnel basis. |
Publications, reports and materials
Raising achievement in underperforming schools (October 2011)
Through research, literature reviews and interviews, the Education Research & Policy Center has gathered what experts cite most often as the best way to improve school performance. Through the findings, the Center developed three recommendations for raising student achievement.
Download the PDF 
School Building Size: Is there a right size? (July 2011)
Research suggests smaller learning environments may produce higher levels of parental and teacher satisfaction, safer learning environments, and improved student outcomes especially among poor students in urban environments.
Download the PDF
Charter/Cyber Charter Costs
for Pennsylvania School Districts (October 2010)
Despite the rhetoric that charter and cyber schools save districts money, research shows that it is virtually impossible for districts to realize a single dollar of savings related to students attending charter schools.
Download the PDF
Pay to Play (August 2010)
A special report addressing a growing trend among school districts in Pennsylvania and nationally requiring students to pay fees -- sometimes nominal, sometimes significant -- to participate in extracurricular activities from interscholastic sports to band and school clubs.
Download the PDF
Pay to Play update (April 2012)
The PSBA Education Research & Policy Center conducted the survey again in Spring 2012. The latest results regarding pay to play can be found here.
Funding Charter Schools (April 2010)
Preliminary research results as presented at the Legislative Advocacy Conference, Harrisburg.
Download the PDF
Pennsylvania Charter Schools:
A look at school and student performance (October 2009)
There is minimal statistical difference between charter school performance and traditional public school performance in Pennsylvania.
Download the PDF
Merger/Consolidation of School Districts:
Does it Save Money and Improve Student Achievement? (April 2009)
Merger or consolidation of school districts does not save money, and it has an adverse impact on academic achievement.
Download the PDF |
|
