The Failure of Input-Based Schooling Policies

53 Pages Posted: 8 Jul 2002 Last revised: 15 Sep 2022

See all articles by Eric A. Hanushek

Eric A. Hanushek

Stanford University - Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace; National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER); CESifo (Center for Economic Studies and Ifo Institute)

Date Written: July 2002

Abstract

In an effort to improve the quality of schools, governments around the world have dramatically increased the resources devoted to them. By concentrating on inputs and ignoring the incentives within schools, the resources have yielded little in the way of general improvement in student achievement. This paper provides a review of the United States and international evidence on the effectiveness of such input policies. It then contrasts the impact of resources with that of variations in teacher quality that are not systematically related to school resources. Finally, alternative performance incentive policies are described.

Suggested Citation

Hanushek, Eric A., The Failure of Input-Based Schooling Policies (July 2002). NBER Working Paper No. w9040, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=318465

Eric A. Hanushek (Contact Author)

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