Lessons for Congress about Education Spending

Dan Lips / February 10, 2009

As Congress considered the unprecedented federal spending increase on education programs, Members should take the time to check out the American Legislative Exchange Council’s new Report Card on American Education. The report examines the condition of public schooling in the states and offers policymakers lessons from the experience of our laboratories of democracy. One key finding: simply spending more on education doesn’t guarantee better student outcomes.

Former Education Secretary Bill Bennett summarized this point in a foreword to the report:

The fact is that more dollars do not necessarily guarantee better schools. Some schools spend more and get lackluster results, while other schools with fewer funds and tools give children quality educations. In our country’s case, results are in the basement, while spending is through the roof. (more…)