The aggregate effects of federal education programs

To gather empirical evidence about tue effects of multiple federal programs on school and school district operations, researchers interviewed teachers, principals, and categorical program coordinators at 24 elementary schools in eight districts across the nationAll the schools had four or more federal categcrical programs and were known to be having difficulties administering them. she research revealed two major problems: interference tetween categorical programs and the local tore program; and cross-subsidy, or the use of categorical funds intended for one group to provide services to another,. Interference involved such problems as interruption or replacement of core instruction, clashes in teaching methods, administrative burdens, staff conflicts, and segregation of students. Cross-subsidy problems included providing funded services to unfunded programs, reducing funded services, and diverting personnel from one program to another. The evidence indicated that the problems resulted from both the multiplicity of federal programs and the choices of local administrators. The researchers recommend that the number of programs and the competition between funded and unfunded programs be reduced; that local administrators be assisted in coordinating programs; and that categorical programs be consolidated to increase effectiveness. (Author/RW) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. . * *300******************************************************************** O NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERICI XThis document has been reproduced as received from the person or otganinlica originating it. 0 Minor changes have been made to imptove reproduction quality. Points of view of opinions stated In this document do not necessanly represent officielNlE position or policy. The Aggregate Effects of Federal Education Programs Jackie Kimbrough and Paul T. Hill This report is made pursuant to contract 300-79-0522. The amount charged to the U.S. Department of Education for the work resulting in this report (inclusive of the amounts so charged for any prior reports submitted under this con tract) is $712,508. The names of the persons, employed or retained by the contractor, with managerial or professional responsibility for such work, or for the content of the report, are as follows: Jackie Kimbrough and Paul T. Hill.