Dive Brief:

• In an effort to determine the cost of educating its students, Vermont is looking for a contractor to perform an "adequacy study." Lawmakers are prepared to spend $300,000 for the information.
• Education reform is hotly debated in the state, and the last legislative session yielded much discussion on the cost of a decent education.
• The House Committee on Education chairman, Rep. Dave Sharpe, says the findings could be helpful in determining high-spending penalties in districts where per-pupil spending is deemed excessive. On average, the state spends around $15,000 per pupil.

Dive Insight:

Residents are voicing concern that $300,000 for a study is not the best use of money. Even legislators are torn between those who say reform is necessary and that the findings from the study could help in the decision-making, and those who say enough with the studies, let districts determine how to spend. The vendor is expected to be hired by next month with results due by the start of 2016.