An exploratory analysis of the resource allocation planning process for school improvement in urban elementary schools

Purpose. My exploratory study examined the Resource Allocation Planning Process for School Improvement (RAPPSI) (Support for Texas Academic Renewal [STAR] Center, 2003). First, the Resource Allocation Planning Process (RAPP) survey (Bryson, 2003) identified specific procedures inherent to the RAPPSI model that principals used. Second, I determined if relationships existed between the principals' uses of RAPPSI procedures and principals' genders. Third, I determined if relationships existed between principals' uses of RAPPSI procedures and student achievement on state-mandated, criterion-referenced tests.; Methods. Inferential and non-parametric statistics were conducted on data collected from 124 elementary principals from large urban school districts. Descriptive statistics were computed to identify the frequency at which principals used RAPPSI procedures. Chi-square and cross-tabulation statistics were computed to determine if relationships existed between the RAPPSI procedures utilized by principals and (a) principals' gender and (b) the level of student achievement on state-mandated criterion-referenced tests.; Findings. Results from research question one identified the following primary RAPPSI procedures used by elementary principals: (a) identifying funding purposes, deadlines and mandates; (b) prioritizing needs; (c) basing decisions on data; and (d) writing measurable goals.; With research question two, two significant gender differences emerged. Male principals were more likely than female principals to (a) review only state-mandated criterion-referenced test data, and (b) make decisions without stakeholder input. With research question three, one significant relationship emerged related to student achievement levels. Principals with reported high student achievement on criterion-referenced tests tended to select strategies for their schools based on program evaluations of current strategies. However, it is important to note that for research question three no survey question yielded expected counts of at least five in 80% or more of the cells. Hence, asymptotic properties of chi-square were not met. I chose to continue the study as an exploratory analysis.