Making Schools Work

Parents, educators, and policymakers generally agree that something must be done to improve schools, but the consensus ends there. The myriad of reform documents and policy discussions that have appeared over the past decade have not helped to pinpoint exactly what should be done. Many believe the easiest solution is to increase spending, as if money alone will cure the ails of American education. Making Schools Work shows that improvement of schools today depends more on better use of resources than on provision of added funds. This book is the culmination of extensive discussion among a panel of economists led by Eric A. Hanushek. The authors conclude that although the case for investment in education is in large measure an economic one - schooling improves productivity and earnings of individuals and promotes stronger economic growth - economic considerations have been entirely absent from the development of educational policies. The book outlines a unique plan to improve school performance without increasing expenditures. The authors call for more efficient use of resources, greater performance incentives, and continuous learning and adaptation. Rather than concentrating on spending more, schools must learn to consider trade-offs among programs and operations and must evaluate performance and eliminate programs that are not working.