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Child Nutrition Programs Challenged to Meet Nutrition Standards, Maintain Participation, and Remain Solvent (October 2011)
2011-06
The viability of Child Nutrition Programs operated by North Carolina’s 115 school districts depends on a delicate balance of cost, nutritional value, and student participation. Despite federal reimbursements for school meals, on average schools lose money on each meal sold and must generate revenue to cover costs. Indirect costs may threaten program solvency, and there are no formal guidelines for their assessment at the local level. Thirty-two other states provide supplemental funding beyond the required state-federal match to alleviate financial pressure and promote higher quality meals. The General Assembly should consider limiting indirect cost assessment and supporting the North Carolina Procurement Alliance.
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Executive Summary
Final Report
Presentation
Legislation |
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Purchasing Consortiums and Merging Community Colleges Could Save $26.2 Million Over Seven Years (June 2011)
2011-04
North Carolina’s 58 quasi-independent community colleges were established to meet community needs. Colleges range in size from 624 to 16,200 student full-time equivalents (FTE), and campuses are often located close to one another. This study examined the most efficient and effective way to administer the community college system and considered whether colleges should be consolidated. Findings indicated college independence challenges administrative efficiency, small colleges have higher administrative costs than larger ones, and colleges have not taken full advantage of their combined purchasing power. The General Assembly should consider merging small colleges and creating a purchasing unit. Adopting both recommendations could yield potential cumulative savings after seven years of $26.2 million.
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Executive Summary
Final Report
College Presidents' Responses
Presentation
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UNC Enrollment Change Funding Formula Needs Documentation and a Performance Component (November 2010) 2010-05
The General Assembly directed the student credit hour enrollment change funding formula review to examine its accuracy. Evaluation findings indicated the formula is complex, relies on inaccurate enrollment growth estimates, and, as a result, yields inaccurate funding requests. The General Assembly should require UNC system administrators to thoroughly examine and modify the enrollment change funding formula, standardize the enrollment projection process, and hold officials accountable for sizeable projection errors. Second, the UNC system should develop policy and guidelines for enrollment growth funding decisions. Third, the General Assembly should receive annual reports of indicators to hold the system accountable to the public. Finally, performance-based funding should be implemented.
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Executive Summary
Final Report
Presentation
Handouts |
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University Distance Courses Cost More to Develop Overall but the Same to Deliver as On-Campus Courses
(April 2010) 2010-03
The Program Evaluation Division was directed to compare the costs for development and delivery of distance education and on-campus courses in the University of North Carolina (UNC) System. Distance education courses cost more overall to develop than on-campus courses but about the same to deliver. The report also explains how distance education increases access to education and the way technology has changed delivery of instruction in the classroom. UNC General Administration is in a position to foster collaboration between campuses to achieve more responsive, comprehensive, and unified distance education programs in the UNC System.
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Executive Summary
Final Report
Presentation
Handouts |
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High School Graduation Project Requirement Should Remain a Local School District Decision
(April 2010) 2010-01
The State Board of Education required that all public high school students, starting with the class of 2010, complete a senior project. The North Carolina Graduation Project assesses students’ ability to integrate knowledge, skills, and performance within a topic area of their choosing. Although there is anecdotal support for culminating projects, there is no compelling empirical evidence that completing a project achieves intended student outcomes. The investment and effort that would be required for statewide implementation of the Graduation Project cannot be justified. The State Board of Education should delegate authority to school districts to decide whether to implement a high school graduation project requirement. |
Executive Summary
Final Report
Presentation |
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A Study of Structure and Organization of the State Board of Education, State Superintendent of Instruction and Department of Public Instruction
Submitted by Evergreen Solutions, LLC
(January 2009)
The Appropriations Act of 2008 directed the Program Evaluation Division to study the State Board of Education and Department of Public Instruction. Evergreen Solutions performed the study under contract to the Legislative Services Commission. Major findings are: 1) the diffused leadership of public education has created a dysfunctional and confusing system of governance; 2) the State Board lacks appropriate information to facilitate decision making, oversight, accountability and policy making for public education. A dashboard is needed to monitor success; and 3) the Department of Public Instruction needs additional restructuring and improved operational efficiency. Recommendations address each of the major findings. |
Executive Summary
Final Report
Presentation |
