Expanding Policy Priorities Through Data Integration and Extreme Case Analysis: Evidence From a School Finance Study

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 11:25 am
  In Roundtable Session: Applying Mixed-Methods Research Design to Inspect Educational Practice and Policy (Table 41)

Abstract

This mixed methods study investigated how Nevada’s weighted student funding formula impacted student achievement and school operations compared to the state’s prior use of categorical grants, which targeted schools serving the largest proportions of students with additional needs. Quantitative analyses compared student achievement in schools that received new funding to schools that previously received categorical funds and for the weighted subgroups in those schools. Qualitative analyses explored administrators’ perceptions of the new funding model from in-depth interviews. During data integration, we identified and analyzed an extreme qualitative case among a subset of interviews, which was tested and confirmed quantitatively. Using a mixed methods approach uncovered unforeseen policy considerations for the state and enhanced a study of education production.

Authors

• Megan K. Rauch Griffard, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Mark Spinrad, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Bradley Marianno, University of Nevada - Las Vegas