Making Sense of School-Level Fiscal Decisions: How School Leaders Garner and Allocate Resources

• In Event: Decision Making and Leadership

Abstract

Significant school finance research has documented resource inequities at the national and state levels, but scholars have paid less attention to the district and school levels and the role played by school leaders in resource allocation. This qualitative study presents a conceptual framework rooted in literature and my findings to explain how principals and other school leaders make budget decisions and allocate resources to shape the instructional environment based on their beliefs and priorities, ultimately impacting student equity.

Author

• Lena Batt, University of Wisconsin - Madison