MORE Money....equals....LESS results.....DUH.
Scores are down due to less teaching of basic skills! This youtube describes the deplorable condition of many math classes. http://youtube.com/watch?v=Tr1qee-bTZI&mode=related&search= Reading is no better. Where is the science?????
Extra money in my local school system goes toward hiring additional administrators or building a new school board building (beauracracy) - rather than directly benefiting the students or hiring additional/skilled teachers.
Educrats are the problem!
Probably not a causative connection, though.
Educational fads such as the "whole language" approach and (sigh, again....) a lack of emphasis on phonics is probably more to blame for the decline in reading scores.