A Policy Advocacy Dissertation to Increase Transparency and Accountability through Social Return on Investment Analysis

Author

David F. Lewis, National-Louis UniversityFollow

Degree Date

12-2014

Document Type

Dissertation - Public Access

Degree Name

Ed.D. Doctor of Education

Academic Discipline

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

James L. Schott

Second Advisor

Norman Weston

Third Advisor

Daniel C. Sloyan

Abstract

The connection between the funding of public schools and student achievement is complex. Facing dwindling revenue streams, schools and the communities they serve must begin to assess how effectively and efficiently school systems are utilizing federal, state, and local taxpayer resources. As seen in the previous program evaluation and change leadership projects, the Social Return On Investment (SROI) methodology provides a framework that yields a statistically reliable vehicle for doing so that garners trust through transparency. Toward this end, this document advocates for school districts and their boards of education to incorporate the SROI analysis as an essential element of their ongoing district-wide evaluation process.

Recommended Citation

Lewis, David F., "A Policy Advocacy Dissertation to Increase Transparency and Accountability through Social Return on Investment Analysis" (2014). Dissertations. 108.
https://digitalcommons.nl.edu/diss/108