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Advancing Outcomes Through School Finance and Policy

Addressing systemic policy and fiscal barriers in early education, preK–12, Tribal education, and higher education, at both state and local levels

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Our team has deep expertise in funding formula and accountability system design and evaluation, strategic resource allocation, applied research, partner engagement, and continuous improvement.

In partnership with state and local leaders, the Education Finance and Systems Planning team helps improve resource coordination and alignment and supports the development of strategic and sustainable funding systems that lead to better outcomes for children and youth.  

Our Capacities

Through research and technical assistance, we support clients in ensuring that education resources are used effectively, fairly, and sustainably to improve student outcomes. 

Featured Service

Education Finance Planning and Evaluation 

We provide rigorous and high-quality school finance research and technical assistance, supporting clients with district budget analyses and forecasting, cost analyses, and funding formula and accountability system design and evaluation.  

Featured Project

Utah Education Funding Study 

WestEd conducted a study to evaluate Utah’s K–12 school funding system and determine the extent to which its funding formulas met its goals. The study aimed to assess how well the Minimum School Program (MSP) aligns with state education principles and expectations, analyze costs and resource allocation, examine funding distribution and generation, and identify opportunities for improvement to better support students across educational contexts in Utah. 

We examine systems to identify high-leverage opportunities for improving policies, strategies, resource use, and accountability structures. 

Featured Service

Strategic Planning and Organizational Reviews 

Working closely with leaders and their communities, we determine how an educational system’s structures, policies, resources, and processes can more effectively serve its goals. Our approach to systems planning helps build effective organizational and policy structures, including finance, governance, and accountability, to support education and school-based health system improvement.  

Featured Project

Hayward Unified School District Systemic Instructional Review 

Based on a comprehensive educational systems review, WestEd provided recommendations to the Alameda County Office of Education and the district about high-leverage areas of improvement—and potential strategies to address those areas. 

We improve students’ health, well-being, and educational outcomes through the expansion of high-quality, sustainably funded school-based health services. 

Featured Service

School-Based Health Finance and Policy

We work with state Medicaid and education agencies to expand and strengthen school Medicaid programs. We use best practices from across the country to provide guidance, trainings, and individualized support that help reduce the barriers to accessing Medicaid for schools and partners, unlocking revenue to support school-based health and student supports.  

Featured Project

Reimbursement for Behavioral Health 

In California, the Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) is reshaping how behavioral and mental health services are delivered in schools. We partner with county health agencies and county offices of education to help schools and community-based organizations navigate these changes. WestEd supports the development of policy and guidance, coaches partners through implementation steps, and facilitates collaboration across local systems to best leverage statewide reforms. 

WestEd hosts two federally funded technical assistance centers designed to deepen state education agency capacity to implement the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) effectively—the National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI) and the Center for IDEA Fiscal Reporting (CIFR). Through our national centers, our work in this area includes providing assistance related to finance planning. 

Featured Project

Center for IDEA Fiscal Reporting

The Center for IDEA Fiscal Reporting (CIFR) works with state leaders to improve state capacity to collect, report, analyze, and use Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) fiscal data. A key outcome of CIFR operations includes using fiscal data to maximize support for students with disabilities and their families.

Featured Project

National Center for Systemic Improvement

The National Center for Systemic Improvement (NCSI) supports states and their partners assessing their special education systems, solving problems, sustaining improvement, and sharing knowledge. Among the supports we offer, NCSI guides state education agencies on the requirements for implementing and managing fiscal systems that meet federal and state expectations. 

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Ready to Improve Resource Planning, Allocation, and Coordination to Improve Outcomes for All Learners?

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Featured Services and Projects

Education Finance Planning and Evaluation

Through research and technical assistance, we support clients in ensuring that education resources are used effectively, fairly, and sustainably.
Service

Strategic Planning and Organizational Reviews

Working collaboratively, we determine how educational systems can more effectively serve their goals.
Service

School-Based Health Finance and Policy 

Our finance and policy experts help leaders expand and sustain school-based services to address students’ physical and mental health needs. 
Service
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Insights & Impact

Education Leaders Collaborating

BlogArticles

Cut the Clutter: How Nevada Is Changing Reporting Requirements to Support Smarter School Funding 

School administrators meeting

BlogArticles

The Value of a Systems Review for Catalyzing Districts’ Systemic Improvement

WestEd Perspectives, Jason Willis, Senior Policy Advisor, Strategic Resource Allocation and Systems Planning at WestEd

BlogArticles

An Old Idea for a New Era? How Block Grants Can Achieve State Goals and Improve Student Outcomes 

Educators, Comprehensive Centers

BlogArticles

Resource Allocation Review Guidance Now Available for State and Local Educational Agencies 

Money Matters blog series

BlogArticles

Increasing Teacher Compensation: How Do We Foot the ​​Bill? 

Photo of two adults in professional development setting

BlogArticles

School District Budget Leaders Speak Out on the Silent Recession

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Events

Confident businesspeople

Events

WestEd 2025 Finance Training for SEAs and LEAs

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Resources

Browse our high-quality publications and resources designed to inform and engage professionals in a variety of fields including K–12 education, early childhood, and health and justice.

BTS Collections Page

Building a Brighter Future: WestEd Resource Collection for Thriving Learners, Empowered Communities
Faced with Less math perspectives resource image

Faced With Less: How Coalition Building Among Government Agencies Can Do More to Serve the Public
How Well Will Your States Schools Weather the Next Financial Storm resource image

How Well Will Your State’s Schools Weather the Next Financial Storm?

Schools Can’t Do It Alone: Envisioning a Statewide System of Support to Advance School-Based Behavioral Health in California

Teacher Compensation Reform Decision Guide
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Featured Experts

Kelsey Krausen

Kelsey Krausen

Kelsey Krausen is Director of the Strategic Resource Allocation and Systems Planning (Resource Planning) team at WestEd. As Resource Planning Director, Krausen leads a team with deep expertise and experience in funding formula design and evaluation; technical assistance in the strategic allocation of resources; strategic planning and organizational reviews; resource coordination and interagency collaboration to support school-based health; and accountability and improvement system design and evaluation.
Expert
Niki Sandoval

Niki Sandoval

Niki Sandoval brings 30 years of experience working with American Indian communities and cultural and educational institutions on educational and economic advancement. She partners...
Expert
J Willis bio image

Jason Willis

Jason Willis is a recognized national expert in American public finance and policy issues, with a focus on school funding formulas; system support and accountability levers; and integrated care change strategies in education, health, and social services.
Expert

Alex B. Jacobson

Alex B. Jacobson brings a diverse professional background and broad skillset to his leadership of comprehensive education finance research and policy analysis. As a...
Expert
Lisa Eisenberg

Lisa Eisenberg

Lisa Eisenberg provides expertise in building partnerships to reduce inequities in health and educational outcomes for children and youth. With more than 10 years...
Expert

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