This is a detailed description of an assessment that can be used in a graduate level of study in the area of public school finance. This has been approved by NCATE as meeting all of the stipulated ELCC standards for which it is designed (1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3.). This course of study appropriate for this assessment is both skills and knowledge focused. The assessment measures the student's ability to think critically and requires students to identify and analyze real school district data regarding revenue and expenditures, a formula for predicting needed staffing levels and a comprehensive listing of personnel data detailing all expenditures per employee. Finally, the assessment provides students the opportunity to role play experiences one might have during a district-wide administrator meeting and during a public school board meeting by presenting their recommendations via a formal presentation with their peers serving as school board members and the professor as the school district superintendent.