Andrew Leigh|Chris Ryan
Long-Run Trends in School Productivity: Evidence from Australia
Australian National University|Australian National University
outside united states little known longrun trends school productivity present new evidence using two data series australia comparable tests available back 1960s young teenagers aged 1314 find small statistically significant fall numeracy period 19642003 literacy numeracy period 197598 decline order onetenth onefifth standard deviation adjusting decline changes student demographics affect conclusion anything decline appears acute available evidence also suggests changes student attitudes school violence television viewing unlikely major impact test scores real per child school expenditure increased substantially period implying fall school productivity although cannot account phenomena might affected school productivity identify number plausible explanations