A Guide to Educational Performance Contracting

In three appendixes, enlarges upon subjects treated more briefly in R-955/1. Appendix A discusses the measurement of students' achievement gains, including the limitations to group data and procedures for minimizing problems. The shorter the program, the less probable that achievement can be observed. A time series of measures would be more desirable than before-and-after types. Methods are outlined for enhancing the validity of results obtained with criterion-referenced items, and for conducting sound statistical tests. Appendix B explores the conceptual and methodological basis of cost analysis, and describes a planning cost model for estimating comparable replication costs, used in comparing prospective programs, and incremental costs, used to estimate the additional financing a particular program will require in a school district. Detailed examples are given. Appendix C reproduces the contracts involved in eight programs. (See also R-699/1, R-900/1, R-955/1.)