Just for the Kids is a national project begun in 1995 at the University of Texas-Austin, with the Education Commission of the States. In 2004, the national project approached us about becoming a state affiliate. Across the country, state affiliates generally are collaborations among the business community, the state education agency, and, usually, a university.

In New York State, the University at Albany School of Education is collaborating with The Business Council of New York State and the New York State Education Department. The role of the School of Education is primarily that of conducting the best practices studies. We completed an elementary level study in 2004-5, the middle school study in 2006-7, and are conducting our high school study in winter-spring 2008.

The national sponsor of Just for the Kids, NCEA (National Center for Educational Achievement), developed the statistical model that performs a series of regression analyses on three years of state assessment data, taking into account student demographic factors. They then provide a set of higher- and average-performing schools from which Just for the Kids-New York selects a representative sample of higher-performing schools, ensuring that at least half the schools meet or exceed New York State average poverty levels.

For the elementary and middle school studies, we used grade 4 or 8 mathematics and ELA state assessment results. In consultation with our advisory board, and considering geographic location as well as Per Pupil Expenditures (PPE) (we try to avoid schools in districts with a significantly higher PPE than the state average), we invite a set of schools to take part in the study. We then select 5-6 average performers with similar characteristics but typical achievement over time. We conduct the study in 2-day site visits using a survey protocol developed by NCEA and used in the other participating states, allowing NCEA to do cross-state analysis.

For detailed information about their statistical models, click on the appropriate links at www.just4kids.org.