New Book: Education as an Economic Development Tool

Posted by on July 23, 2004

As state and local governments face tight budgets, a new Economic Policy Institute report shows adequate and effective funding of education is the best way to achieve faster growth, more jobs, greater productivity, and more widely shared prosperity. “Smart Money: Education and Economic Development,” released today and written by economic development expert William Schweke, shows how more investment in education, from preschool to college, spurs economic development through increases in productivity, learned skills, technology and workers’ average earnings. The book looks at more than 180 studies to display tangible links from targeted education funding to economic benefits. For example, “Smart Money” finds the public saves $7.16 for every original dollar invested in high-quality child care.

To read more about the book, visit: http://www.epinet.org/content.cfm/book_smart_money