Managing with Less

Learn How to Do More with Less

Categorized Under: Education

State and local agencies are faced with the difficult task of managing more with less. ICF’s information brief discusses the challenges posed by the U.S. funding crisis and describes strategies that state and local education agencies can use to address such challenges. Learn how the formation of interdistrict cooperatives and other strategies can help leverage existing resources and take advantage of economies of scale. Download our white paper to find out how to go further with your funding.

For more information, watch the videos below as ICF International’s Drs. Caitlin Howley and Sharon Harsh discuss how states and school districts in the Appalachian region have been affected by reduced education budgets, what strategies could be employed to do more with fewer resources, and how technical assistance can help educators identify ways to use limited dollars to the greatest effect.

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Why are state and local educational agencies facing a severe funding crisis due to the Great Recession?

States have spent most of their American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. How are states education budgets doing?

Managing with less. What strategies can states employ to address this challenge?

What are interdistrict cooperatives, and how can they help school districts achieve economies of scale?

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Education in the Appalachian States

Authored By

Kimberly Cook
Education SpecialistICF International

Kimberly Cook has more than 25 years of experience in the education sector. As a specialist in ICF’s Charleston, West Virginia office, she provides research assistance and support on several projects, including the Regional Education Laboratory (REL) Mid-Atlantic, the National Laboratory Network, and the Reform Support Network. Her past work in a variety of capacities includes support of U.S. federal programs such as the Eisenhower Regional Mathematics and Science Consortium, the Region IV Comprehensive Center, and Appalachia Educational Laboratory.
Dr. Sharon Harsh
Education FellowICF International

Sharon Harsh is an education specialist whose work focuses on designing, implementing, and sustaining change; customizing and delivering capacity-building technical assistance; and incorporating cognitive elements of learning into the instructional process.

Dr. Harsh currently serves as the director of the Appalachia Regional Comprehensive Center (ARCC) at ICF, where she provides technical assistance to state education agencies in Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Previously, Dr. Harsh was an assistant superintendent of schools for 24 years in Monongalia, Preston, and Barbour counties in West Virginia. She also worked as a teacher, school psychologist, attendance director, and director of special education. She has been an adjunct instructor in education administration, sociology, and psychology at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. She holds certification in elementary education, music, developmental reading, public school administration, social services, and attendance and is certified as a school psychologist in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Dr. Harsh has a doctoral degree in Education Administration and Instructional Leadership, a master's degree in Child Development, and a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Music. She received an international scholarship for doctoral study and was a Fulbright Seminar Abroad scholar to South Africa and Zimbabwe. She is the recipient of numerous awards and professional appointments.
Dr. Caitlin Howley
Senior ManagerICF International

Caitlin Howley has nearly 20 years of experience leading education research and program evaluation studies and providing technical assistance to educators. Located in ICF's Charleston, West Virginia office, she serves as associate director of the Appalachia Regional Comprehensive Center (ARCC) and conducts research for the Regional Educational Laboratory (REL) Mid-Atlantic and K–12 and college programs for at-risk student populations across the Appalachian region. Dr. Howley also provides technical assistance to education leaders and practitioners via the Reform Support Network. In earlier capacities, Howley directed evaluation for the Appalachia Eisenhower Regional Consortium for Mathematics and Science Education, provided evaluation services to the Region IV Comprehensive Center, and served as a Research and Evaluation Specialist with the Appalachia Regional Education Laboratory.

Dr. Howley has a Ph.D in Sociology from Temple University; she has published and presented more than 130 reports, articles, and papers; and her work has received awards from the National Rural Education Association and the American Educational Research Association.