DENVER The state put on its star witness Thursday in a costly school funding trial to argue that more money will not lead to a better education for Colorado kids.
Several parents and school districts, including Montezuma-Cortez, sued the state, claiming schools dont get enough money to fulfill the constitutional obligation to give every child a thorough and uniform education.
Eric Hanushek, a professor at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution, has testified in similar school finance trials around the country with the same message: Money doesnt necessarily lead to better student achievement.
How you spend money is much more important than what you spend, Hanushek said.
He is especially critical of the salary schedule for teachers, with pay increases for earning a masters degree.
Hanushek serves as the states leading expert witness, and the stakes for his testimony are high.
If the plaintiffs win, the courts could order the Legislature to design a new school-funding system, at a possible cost of an additional $2 billion a year or more.
Plaintiffs in Wyoming won a similar case, and as a result, Colorados northern neighbor now spends more per student than nearly any other state. But Hanushek said Colorado students have higher test scores than Wyoming kids.
A major national study also shows smaller classes rarely matter, Hanushek said.
Theres no evidence of any improvement past kindergarten, he said.
What does matter, Hanushek said, is the quality of teachers, and he praised a bill the Legislature passed in 2010 to deny tenure to teachers whose students fail to show improvement.
But plaintiffs lawyer Kenzo Kawanabe referred to several national experts who disagree with Hanusheks conclusions on the importance of money, some of whom testified for the plaintiffs earlier this month.
Kawanabe tried to paint Hanushek as out of touch with Colorado schools and public education in general, quizzing him on whether he had ever been a teacher, served on a school board, visited a Colorado school or talked with any local teachers or administrators. He answered no to all the questions.
Is it possible to estimate the cost of an adequate education? Kawanabe asked.
I dont believe it is, Hanushek answered.
Plaintiffs hope to convince Judge Sheila Rappaport that Hanushek is wrong. They have presented studies that show Colorado schools need at least $2 billion more a year.
The trial is expected to continue through the end of the month.
Reach Joe Hanel at joeh@cortezjournal.com.