Lobato 8/25: Money and scores
“There’s no consistent relationship between school resources and school achievement,” Hoover Institution scholar Eric Hanushek testified Thursday in the Lobato v. State school funding case.
Hanushek, a nationally known researcher on the economics of education, is the key expert witness for the state as it seeks to counter the plaintiffs’ claim that Colorado’s school funding system doesn’t adequately meet the education requirements of the state constitution.
Questioned by Senior Assistant Attorney General Carey Markel, Hanushek added, “Money certainly matters; you can’t run a school without money.” But, he added, “How you spend money is more important than how much … In general, you can’t expect any large achievement gains without changing the way you spend.”
Hanushek said that per-pupil U.S. education spending has increased four-fold since 1960 but that student achievement is at about the same level as in 1970.
Friday Churn: Deadline for candidates
What’s churning:
Today is the statewide deadline for those interested in running for their local school board this fall. They must submit 50 signatures of registered voters by the end of the day.
Next Friday, Sept. 2, is the deadline for school districts to certify any ballot content, such as operating increases or bond issues, to their county clerks. And then it all happens pretty quickly – mail ballots can go out Oct. 11 and early voting begins Oct. 17. Election Day is Nov. 1.