States Offer Schools a New Outlook on Management, Financial Aptitude

By Robert C. Johnston

Come audit our schools, please.That's the somewhat surprising request being made by school districts in Texas, Pennsylvania, and Florida, where state agencies offer free comprehensive reviews of school management and spending strategies.

And, while the reviews present public relations risks, they can also yield more useful data than standard, state-mandated compliance audits. That, say proponents, means more tax dollars will get into classrooms.

"We don't only look for ways to improve a district, we look for exemplary practices that we can pass to other districts," said Betty Ressel, the manager of school performance reviews for...