The steering committee responsible for developing the system is sometimes charged with creating a system from scratch. In many other cases, they are expected to implement an existing monitoring system imposed by the state, the district, or a funder. Even when an existing monitoring system is implemented, the role of the local steering committee is crucial— there is always a need to make both small and large adjustments and modifications to ensure that the system is most helpful in the circumstances particular to a school or district. Box 3.1 summarizes the key steps for developing a monitoring system. For instance, school leaders, in cooperation with the steering committee, may decide to add a few questions to an existing survey to learn more about a particular issue of concern to a school. For example, they might want to know how Native American parents view the school’s respect for their heritage or if military- connected students feel that their parents are appreciated. The committee may also want to add an additional method, such as a focus group, to enhance its ability to receive feedback on a particular issue. Before deciding on the components of a monitoring system, leaders first need to address how to cover the cost. Creating a new monitoring system can be an expensive endeavor, so policymakers should conduct extensive research on what sources of funding they have available before finalizing the components of their monitoring system. Sources of funding might include federal grants, foundation grants, or discretionary funding at the district or local school level. These funds might also cover the cost of having staff people analyze the results and write reports to share with policymakers, parents, educators, and students. Making use of or adapting existing instruments is obviously less expensive than having something new created. Partnering with other organizations, universities, or government agencies that might want to have access to similar information is another cost- efficient way to approach the funding aspects of monitoring. Many monitoring techniques require little or no funding at all.
An evaluation framework to build a cost-efficient crop monitoring system. Experiences from the extension of the European crop monitoring system
