May LM 2019 Special Issue_press

Northeastern Super Region ... cont’d.

truly validates that we have been spending the money where it makes a difference, which is in the classroom.” In recent years, Williams said, Queen Bee SD #16 has expanded its instructional coaching model and invested in a high-quality curriculum, among other things. That work has made a difference in improving academic scores, he said. An additional revenue stream to support those efforts helps ensure the district can continue to provide the necessary supports for kids, he added. “It’s providing extra security for us and, hopefully, will help us expand our instructional coaching, particularly in the area of math,” Williams said. “This money really does matter and make a difference for us.”

Queen Bee SD #16

Enrollment: 1,777 FY18: $452,064 Type: preK–8 FY19: $330,836

Evidence-Based Funding is serving a different role in Queen Bee SD #16 than other districts with more limited resources. Superintendent Dr. Joseph Williams said the main role the new state funding formula has served is to “validate and protect” the work currently being done to improve student achievement in the district. “I really appreciate the framework and design of EBF formula,” Williams said. “It’s research supported, so for us, it

We see early childhood as a long-term intervention that is a good use of the funds. We can really sustain a program like this because of EBM. — Dr. Ehren Jarrett, Rockford Public Schools #205

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