Does More Money Lead to Higher Test Scores? Examining 10th-Grade Math Scores in Massachusetts

• In Event: Issues in Education Finance and Policy

Abstract

Educational researchers have attempted to explain the variation in standardized test scores in a variety of ways. This study focuses on per pupil expenditure (PPE) in explaining test variation. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the variation in 10th grade math test scores in 280 Massachusetts school districts. Results show that, controlling for variables that are commonly thought to explain variation (the percentage of minority students, the percentage of low income students, the percentage of students in remedial math classes, the average number of absences in the district, and student-teacher ratio), PPE is not a statistically significant predictor of 10th math scores in Massachusetts school districts. Discussion and implications of this finding are explored in this paper.

Author

• Sarah Capello, University of Pittsburgh