Lessons in Public Education

Some other solutions to the education dilemma

Here what others are saying about our schools and how we can improve them:

The Beacon Hill Institute for Public Policy Research:

"A new analysis of Massachusetts test scores finds that there is no relationship between public school spending and student performance."

The study by Sanjiv Jaggia and Alison Kelly-Hawke, associate professors of economics at Suffolk University and resident scholars at the school's Beacon Hill Institute, found that:

  • Increased education spending per pupil does not improve student performance.
  • Smaller class size leads to better student performance only in the early stages of education (primary grades).
  • Administrative expenditures appear to exert a negative influence on student performance.
  • Family background and the stability of a community are the main factors influencing student performance.
  • Student achievement is better in households in which both parents are present.
  • Higher crime rates and higher percentage of rental units exert a very strong negative influence on student performance.
  • Students in communities with better-educated parents (professionals and managers) perform better on average.

    • The authors compared student performance on the MCAS tests with demographic and budgetary information for each school district.

    From Associated Industries of Massachusetts:

    Based on a survey responses from some 100 of its member corporations, AIM found that more than two-thirds feel that "a quality education system is an essential component of a favorable state or local business climate."

    Among the solutions suggested by respondents? "The centerpiece of efforts to improve public schools should be better-qualified teachers," according to AIM. "More stress on basics, more discipline, appropriate use of new technology and higher standards backed by testing were also called 'very important' by most. Smaller classes and update curriculum also ranked high, and elimination of social promotion and more spending drew strong support, along with considerable skepticism. Only the controversial notion of a longer school day or year was rejected by as many as a third of the respondents... The employers also backed increased parental choice as a way to improve the schools."

    From the National Governors' Association:

    The NGA has established a "Smarter Kids Task Force" chaired by Gov. Thomas Carper of Delaware. Among its findings to date --

  • Performance-based accountability policies can create higher expectations, improve teaching and learning, facilitate improved school capacity and stimulate higher levels of achievement.
  • Governors, states and communities must work together to weave a seamless web of learning opportunities for kids both inside and outside the classroom.
  • States should continue their efforts to equip schools and classrooms with computers, educational software, school-based computer networks and links to statewide and global information networks. At the same time, policymakers should take step to ensure that technology is used effectively to enhance student learning and foster the goals of standards-based education reform.


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