The Comparability and Adequacy of Financial Support for Schools of Education

Abstract

Three questions are addressed: (a) Has funding, in both constant and real dollars, for schools of education changed over the last 10 years? (b) Where do schools of education stand relative to other academic units with respect to funding? and (c) Has this rank changed over time?Results from data collected from six major research universities over the last 10 years indicate that schools of education do not hold a favorable position in the research university. With minor exceptions they are the lowest funded unit on campus and have lost ground over the last 10 years in both constant dollars and in relation to the majority of other disciplines. The results from this study raise questions about the ability of schools of education to afford major revision efforts that might result in better prepared teachers and administrators.

Educating the New Educator: Teacher Education and the Future of Democracy

“…This problem continues to exist. A 1997 study confirms earlier research, which found that education programs are funded well below the average, generally near the bottom ranks of departments and well below the level of most other professional preparation programs (Howard, Hitz, & Baker, 1997; see also , Ebmeier, Twombly, & Teeter, 1991).…”

Adequacy and Allocation within Higher Education: Funding the Work of Education Schools

“…Not only did education lag in funding behind nearly all other professional or academic programs at the universities studied, education schools had actually lost ground in comparative funding during the 10 years of the study. Like Bowen (1980), Hample (1980), and Walters (1981), Ebmeier et al (1991) noted that expenditure comparisons from one institution to another have rarely been undertaken because of the uniqueness of each institution's financial record-keeping systems. Ebmeier et al were able to conduct their study using peer institution data available after considerable institutional effort to define common terms.…”

“…THE PERCEPTION held by many teacher educators is that the commitment of colleges and universities to education programs is weak and funding for education lags far behind that of other disciplines. In a rare study on this topic, Ebmeier, Twombly, and Teeter (1991) examined the comparability and adequacy of financial support for schools of education at six research institutions. They found that "schools of education do not hold a favorable position in the research university" (p. 226).…”

“…Like Bowen (1980), Hample (1980), and Walters (1981), Ebmeier et al (1991) noted that expenditure comparisons from one institution to another have rarely been undertaken because of the uniqueness of each institution's financial record-keeping systems. Ebmeier et al were able to conduct their study using peer institution data available after considerable institutional effort to define common terms.…”