(2005-08-25) Siegel Cfe Outcome

Harry Siegel on the CFE (Campaign For Fiscal Equity) ruling involving Educating Kids In Nyc. According to the Independent Budget Office, city school spending increased by $3.7 billion or more than 40% from 1998 to 2003 with no appreciable education benefits, and at over $12,000 per student, the city spends far more than the national average... Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow and City Journal Contributing Editor Sol Stern argues that "The state should have explained that it's no big secret that New York City schools are lousy and inadequate and not providing a sound basic education, but that money isn't the remedy. There are lots of schools getting by quite well, you have to ask why others aren't, and what's wrong with the school system." Far from pushing for changes, though, the mayor has fought against accepting any accountability that might come with the money, either in terms of how it's spent or the results it produces.