Earning and Learning: How Schools Matter

(Paperback)

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The essays in this book report estimates of the effects of learning on earnings and other life outcomes. They also examine whether particular aspects of schooling - such as the age at which children begin school, classroom size and curriculum - or structural reform - such as national or state-wide examinations or school choice - affect learning. Taken together, their findings suggest that liberals are correct in saying that more investment is needed in early education, that class sizes should be further reduced, and that challenging national or state standards should also be established. But they also seek to provide support for conservatives who ask for a more demanding curriculum and greater school choice. Contributors include John Bishop, Eric Hanushek, James Heckman, Christopher Jencks, Caroline Minter Hoxby, Fred Mosteller and Christopher Winship.

Reviews

"This is an outstanding collection that demonstrates that schools matter, particularly for enhancing later earnings. The book should be indispensable reading for anyone interested in general strategies for improving schools and adult lives." Thomas Cook, Northwestern University

Author Bio

Susan E. Mayer is associate professor of sociology in the Harris School of Public Policy Studies at the University of Chicago and author of What Money Can't Buy (Harvard, 1997). Paul E. Peterson is the Henry Lee Shattuck Professor of Government at Harvard, the director of PEPG, and a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution. He is author or editor of numerous books, including The Education Gap: Vouchers and Urban Schools, with William G. Howell (Brookings, 2004 and 2006). He is coeditor (with Martin West) of No Child Left Behind The Practice and Politics of School Accountability (Brookings, 2003).