School districts in the United States spend nearly $1 trillion every year to educate K-12 students and serve communities and families. How that money is spent matters, as budgeting decisions shape student learning outcomes. Despite the importance of these decisions, the budgeting process itself is often fragmented, disconnected from current data, or misaligned with the district’s long-term strategic objectives. This misalignment between budgeting and desired student outcomes can result in an inefficient use of resources, limiting the ability of districts to serve their students effectively.

Strategic resource management (SRM) — the intentional alignment of financial, human, and political resources with clear educational goals — offers a framework to ensure that every dollar, every hire, and every stakeholder is contributing to the success of students.

Intentional Alignment: Mapping a Path Forward for Strategic Resource Management in K-12 Districts outlines a definition of SRM, details common challenges with SRM implementation, and offers promising examples from organizations across the country that are working to support SRM in districts or deepen the field’s understanding of its key principles.