Better school facilities don't help students learn

The Washington Examiner reports:

Many parents complain about conditions in their children's schools, but research suggests spending money on school facilities doesn't help students learn. Focusing on curriculum, teacher quality and other education issues is more worthwhile.

Renovating schools has no impact on student achievement, according to a new working paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research.

"We find little indication that spending on school facilities generates improvements in student achievement," researchers wrote. "The number of students materially affected by the typical project is low." Even students who are affected don't see academic improvements.

Imagine that.