Tom Shepstone
Shepstone Management Company, Inc.

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That school finance junk science study from Penn State has more than a few flaws, as it turns out, and the authors just can’t help revealing their biases.

I don’t label studies junk science lightly, especially when they’re from Penn State, my own alma mater. But, then again, this is the same university where Michael Mann works. You know…the hockey stick guy. A few weeks ago I reviewed a draft study and some related articles on school finances in Pennsylvania. And, yes, I believe it to be school finance junk science. As I noted then:

This data, of course, proves nothing other than the fact gas drilling has taken place in rural areas with less wealth, which is surely a surprise to no one and that is precisely why rural areas have wanted it…

This hyped up study, in other words, simply shows richer school districts have more revenue to work with and always have…

The hype in The Conversation and the Inquirer is of the worst sort; it essentially says a 200 pound man who gains three pounds is growing three times faster than a 10 pound baby who grew by one. It’s meaningless and apparently intended to help make a case for a severance tax. Don’t fall for it.

My little expose on school finance junk science and my argument got no response from the authors, but Ken Cuomo’s subsequent post did and it’s very telling.

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