Michael McShane has written a fantastic primer on the state of education today and how to fix it. First, McShane explains how a quality education is essential to future success. It can be the passport out of poverty.
Unfortunately, our education system is mediocre at best, and downright awful for most low-income kids. There's been no improvement in high school performance since the 1970's and we've fallen behind internationally (27th in math on the PISA). Even America's wealthy students aren't doing well compared to wealthy peers in foreign countries (28th).
McShane provides evidence that the poor-to-mediocre performance is not for lack of spending. Spending per pupil has nearly tripled in 40 years (after adjusting for inflation) but results are flat. Moreover, schools in low-income areas are often the best funded.
The disconnect between increased spending and flat performance partially explained by the rapid growth in the number of non-teaching staff relative to the growth in student enrollment. In 60 years, the number of students has increased by 96%, teachers by 252%, and non-teaching staff by 702%.
McShane explains how in the last half-century, school systems have been dramatically centralized due to the false progressive technocratic idea that there's "one best way" to teach and we know what that is. The unintended consequences of progressive reforms include a system that is too rigid, coddles failure, and thwarts improvement. Attempted reforms (more money! smaller classes! more staff! higher standards!) have failed to live up to their promises.
McShane concludes on a hopeful note, outlining how create a vibrant educational marketplace that empowers parents and students with choice and opportunity while fostering educational excellence. In his view, that will require "stabilization" (greater flexibility for parents re: how their education dollars are spent), "liberalization" (decentralization of schools so that they are locally or even privately managed), and "institution building" (greater access to capital for schools, possibly through social impact bonds).
McShane packs a lot of detail into this short book, but writing is clear and engaging. His diagnosis of what ails America's education system is empirical and persuasive. My only critique is I wish he had discussed his proposed solutions in greater detail, especially since some of his approach is refreshingly novel.
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