The Arkansas Legislature and the Arkansas Department of Education have contracted with Lawrence O. Picus and Associates to conduct an analysis of the use of resources in districts and schools following the increase in funds provided by the 2003 Special Session of the Legislature in response to the Lake View litigation in 2003.
One component of the current implementation study is to understand how districts currently allocate all of their resources in light of the new revenues appropriated by the Legislature since that time. This survey is a major component of that analysis. In addition, staff from Lawrence O. Picus and Associates and from various state agencies will conduct field studies in a total of 100 schools across the state during the spring of 2006.
This web-based survey was designed to help the consultants, as well as the Legislature, develop a comprehensive understanding of the use of educational resources by all of the school districts in Arkansas. Each superintendent, along with the chief business officer, should be able to complete it in approximately 30 minutes. All that is necessary is to log on to the website that will be emailed to superintendents this week and use the individual login and password information that will be provided in the email.
The Department of Education wants assurance that the consultants have adequate time to analyze all responses to this survey, so please respond today if possible. It would be appreciated if the completed survey could be returned no later than February 28, 2006.
Although the survey asks for the superintendent's name and includes the district's name, please be assured that all responses will be kept completely confidential by the Arkansas Department of Education and the consultants.
If there are difficulties with the website, please contact James Boardman at the Arkansas Department of Education jboardman@arkedu.k12.ar.us or 501-371-5005. Direct questions or concerns about the survey to Dr. Lawrence O. Picus at lpicus@usc.edu or at 818-980-1881.
Thank you in advance for participating in this survey.