Deciphering Minnesota's Literacy Incentive Aid or Adam Breaks Out His Algebra

"Sec. 43. [124D.98] Literacy Incentive Aid. [Emphasis added]

"Subdivision 1. Literacy incentive aid. In fiscal year 2013 and later, a district's literacy incentive aid equals the sum of the proficiency aid under subdivision 2, and the growth aid under subdivision 3. [Emphasis added]

"Subd. 2. Proficiency aid. In fiscal year 2013 and later, the proficiency aid for each school is equal to the product of the school's proficiency allowance times the number of pupils at the school on October 1 of the previous fiscal year. A school's proficiency allowance is equal to the percentage of students in each building that meet or exceed proficiency on the third grade reading Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment, averaged across the previous three test administrations, times $85." [Emphasis added]

Proficiency aid

X: # of students in district

Y: % of 3rd graders meeting or exceeding proficiency on the third grade reading MCA

(X * Y * $85)

"Subd. 3. Growth aid. In fiscal year 2013 and later, the growth aid for each school is equal to the product of the school's growth allowance times the number of pupils enrolled at the school on October 1 of the previous fiscal year. A school's growth allowance is equal to the percentage of students at that school making medium or high growth, under section 120B.299, on the fourth grade reading Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment, averaged across the previous three test administrations, times $85." [Emphasis added]

Growth aid

Z: % of 4th graders making medium or high growth on reading MCA

(X * Z * $85)

Literacy incentive aid

(X * Y * $85) + (X * Z * $85) = Literacy incentive aid

Literacy incentive aid for District 833 based off data from 2008-2010.

Below, I plug in actual test results from district 833 where I work. Results obtained from the Minnesota Department of Education.

X: 17,000

Y: .8404

Z: .59

(17,000 * .8404 * $85) + (17,000 * .59 * $85) = $2,066,928

$1,214,378 (Proficiency Aid) + $852,550 (Growth Aid) = $2,066,928 (Literacy Incentive Aid)

"Sec. 45. Literacy Incentive Aid Limit. [Emphasis added]

"Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.98, subdivision 1, for fiscal year 2013 only, the commissioner must adjust the entitlement for literacy incentive aid under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.98, subdivision 1, to ensure that the total entitlement does not exceed $48,585,000. If the literacy incentive aid exceeds the limit established in this section, the aid must be reduced proportionately to match the limit." [Emphasis added]

Even considering the limit on aid, that is a fair chunk of change for a district that already beats state averages by nearly 10% on MCA reading scores.

This benefits schools that improve or are already doing well, rather than struggling schools. Seems mighty backwards to me.

Sources:

(Full text of the education spending bill) http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/ss2011/11-3673.htm

(Definition of growth) http://statutes.laws.com/minnesota/120-129B/120B/120B_299

(Minnesota state standardized test results) http://education.state.mn.us/tranalysis-sa/test-results-analysis.jsf

(Growth results) http://education.state.mn.us/ReportCard2005/index.do