Governors Find Education Opportunities in Budget Woes

Superintendent of Public Schools Tom Luna, standing third from left, listens to testimony last week before the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee at the Idaho Statehouse in Boise. With the backing of Republican Gov. C.L. Otter, Mr. Luna has called for allowing average class sizes across the state to rise by one to two students in grades 4-12, which he estimates will save the state $500 million over five years.

—Chris Butler/Idaho Statesman/AP

By Sean Cavanagh

It is the worst of times for state budgets. But across the country, some elected officials say it’s the best time to rethink how their states spend money on education.

Governors and other officeholders are arguing that their states have no choice but to re-examine assumptions about how schools are using the money they currently receive, given bleak budget conditions that may not improve substantially for at least a few years. Some are urging their states to demand more financial accountability from schools, while others have proposed redirecting at least some of the flow of funding to districts and programs, in the hope of either saving money or improving student performance.

The call for schools to do more with less, or the same amount of money, is not new. But it appears to be gaining traction in a number of states, particularly those trying to climb...