After spending more money on primary and secondary schools every year for almost four decades and not getting much to show for it, the U.S. is trying the logical alternative: spending less. Whether you think that's a good idea depends on how you value the competing roles of government -- and your appetite for risk.
The U.S. Census Bureau reported last week that spending on public elementary and secondary schools declined by $5 billion in 2012, the first time since 1977 expenditures have fallen. In almost half of states, spending per pupil fell.
