Dr. David Grissmer, Senior Research Assistant for the RAND Corporation, presented dramatic empirical evidence tying standards-based reforms and adequate resources to significant increases in the test scores of at-risk children. Focusing in particular on recent data from Texas and North Carolina, Dr. Grissmer demonstrated that decreasing the spending gap between wealthy and poor districts also closes the gap in student performance.

Dr. Grissmer testified that the Tennessee STAR Study, a seminal study on smaller classes, conclusively shows that targeting money to reduce class size is the most cost-effective way to improve student performance.

Dr. Grissmer also took issue with an analysis presented by Dr. Eric Hanushek, an expert for the State, suggesting that money has no effect on student achievement. Dr. Grissmer argued that Dr. Hanushek’s analysis is technically flawed because it relies on outdated data and questionable methodologies and interpretation.