NCLB Costs

State Reports

The following are reports conducted by individual state agencies or under the request of state agencies. Some of these reports are part of the 12-state consortium with the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) established to identify the specific costs of NCLB. It is important to note that some of these reports focus only on the costs of implementing the law (e.g. implementation costs) and do not account for the costs states will incur for meeting the proficiency expectations of the law (e.g. proficiency costs).

For more about NCLB costs, please contact Scott Young, senior policy advisor, at syoung@qualityednow.org or 202-454-5671.

VIRGINIA

The Costs of Fulfilling the Requirements of the NCLB Act for School Divisions in Virginia. (September, 2005) Augenblick, Palaich and Associates, Inc.

In September 2005, the Virginia Department of Education released a cost study that found that local school divisions will have to spend $62 million, $60 million, $61 million and $65 million more than they are receiving from the federal government, through fiscal year 2008, to administer NCLB. The study covers the costs of meeting the laws requirements (i.e. compliance cost) but does not cover what the state will have to spend to actually get students to pass grade level tests and close the achievement gap (i.e. proficiency costs).

NEW MEXICO

The Cost of Fulfilling the Approved Procedural Requirements
of NCLB in New Mexico (May, 2005)
Augenblick, Palaich and Associates, Inc.

New Mexico conducted a cost study in May 2005 that found the state was going to have to spend $37 million, $31 million and $26 million more than it is receiving in new federal dollars for 2003-2005 school years, respectively. This includes estimated state and district level costs. However, the study covers the costs of meeting the law's requirements (i.e. compliance cost) but does not cover what the state will have to spend to actually get students to pass grade level tests and close the achievement gap (i.e. proficiency costs).

CONNECTICUT

Cost of Implementing the Federal NCLB Act in Connecticut
State-Level Costs: Part I (March 2, 2005)
Local-Level Costs: Part II (May 4, 2005)
Connecticut State Department of Education

The Connecticut State Department of Education reported that through FY 08, it will cost the state approximately $41.6 million to administer NCLB. These are state level costs only; a report on local costs for just three school districts found an additional unmet cost of $22.6 million. The study covers the costs of meeting the law's requirements (i.e. compliance cost) but does not cover what the state will have to spend to actually get students to pass grade level tests and close the achievement gap (i.e. proficiency costs).

HAWAII

Estimating the New, Marginal Costs of NCLB in Hawaii (July, 2004)
Augenblick, Palaich and Associates, Inc.

In July 2004, a study commissioned by the Hawaii legislature found it would cost $191 million between 2003-2008 to meet the requirements of NCLB. Developmental costs were estimated at an additional $24.6 million. The study covers the costs of meeting the law's requirements (i.e. compliance cost) but does not cover what the state will have to spend to actually get students to pass grade level tests and close the achievement gap (i.e. proficiency costs).

MINNESOTA

Minnesota Office of the Legislative Auditor Report on NCLB (February 26, 2004)
Joel Alter and John Patterson

The Minnesota State Auditor found difficulties with NCLB regulations to be widespread, including the testing of students with disabilities and limited English proficient students. The February 2004 State Auditor report estimated the cost to the state for student testing alone to be $19 million annually. The study also reported on the costs of supplemental services, school choice and school restructuring.

OHIO

Projected Costs of Implementing the Federal "NCLB Act" in Ohio (December, 2003)
Prepared by William Driscoll and Dr. Howard Fleeter for the Ohio Department of Education.

The state of Ohio commissioned an NCLB cost study to investigate how much the law's regulations would cost Ohio. In December 2003, they found that $1.4 billion annually would be placed on the backs of Ohio taxpayers to comply with all of NCLB's rules and regulations through the 2013-2014 school year.

General Costs Papers or Articles

Does NCLB Place a Fiscal Burden on States?" Evidence from Texas. (February, 2005)
University of San Diego/University of Wisconsin

Two Very Different Questions. (April 21, 2004)
William Mathis

Exploring the Costs of Accountability. (February, 2004)
James Peyser and Robert Costrell

NCLB Under a Microscope: A Cost Analysis of the Fiscal Impact of NCLB
on States and Local Education Agencies. (January, 2004)
Education Leaders Council and Accountability Works

The Federal NCLB Act: What Will it Cost States?
William Mathis

Costs and Benefits
Prepared by William Mathis for Phi Delta Kappan

Miscellaneous Resources

U.S. Department of Education
Budget Tables

National Education Association
President's FY06 Budget
President's FY05 Budget

Title I Funds - Who's Gaining and Who's Losing.
School Year 2005-06 Update (July 6, 2005)

Title I Funds: Who's Gaining, Who's Losing
(June 15, 2004) Center on Education Policy

ED Describes Consequences for States Opting Out of Title I (March, 2004)
Title I Monitor / Thompson