Cost Rating System

To assist states in finding programs and policies that meet particular needs and capabilities, the relative cost rating system used in this website is shown below. These estimates are relative, and recognize that the amount of expenditure for a program can vary greatly depending upon a state’s size.

Some of the programs and policies are part of a national or regional initiative that states, schools, or local governments can join or otherwise take part in. In those cases, included is an estimate of the cost of participation (“P” in the rating system)—that is, expenditures resulting from tapping into the existing initiative.

Other programs or policies are not part of a larger initiative that can be joined, but a state or local agency could launch a similar initiative on its own as a separate effort. In such cases, included is an estimate of the relative costs of replication (“R” in the rating system).

The actual cost ratings are defined as follows:

$: Minimal to no costs—should be achievable within existing budget limits without additional funding.

$$: Substantial costs—would probably require funding beyond current budget, but not at the level of a major capital expenditure.

$$$: Major costs—would require an appropriation or grant on the same level as what would be needed to fund a major capital expenditure.