TEACHER PREPARATION COST STUDY : A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF UNC SYSTEM-LEVEL FINANCIAL INPUTS AGAINST CAMPUS-LEVEL PRODUCTIVITY OUTPUTS

Abstract

The University of North Carolina General Administration has required all constituent institutions with teacher education programs to expand their productivity goals to meet the state's teacher workforce needs. This study examined education program funding over a three-year period by analyzing system-level financial inputs and campus-level productivity outputs to determine if financial support in the form of budgeted faculty has increased or decreased relative to prospective teachers produced, SCHs produced, and education degrees conferred. The analysis provides information that could potentially impact funding streams for teacher preparation programs across the University. This research will assist policy-makers and higher education leaders, and enhance strategic planning efforts underway in the University aimed at addressing teacher supply and demand needs for the State.