This paper investigates the effects of California's billion-dollar class-size-reduction program on student achievement. It uses year-to-year differences in class size generated by variation in enrollment and the state's class-size-reduction program to identify both the direct effects of smaller classes and related changes in teacher quality.…

Low achievement and high dropout rates among poor and minority students continue to plague U.S. society. While much attention over the past quarter century has focused on reforming the schools these students attend, little or no progress has been made in actually closing the achievement gaps or reducing the number of dropouts. Why? Aren't…

Debunks two myths: the United States spends more on its schools than other nations; and money makes no difference in student achievement. The United States provides more school services than other countries do. Research shows a strong expenditure/academic-achievement correlation. Test scores rise when districts use money to reduce class size and…