Abstract

Results-based intergovernmental transfers have recently attracted attention from both scholars and practitioners. In contrast to other types of grants, the results-based approach can lead to improved accountability and responsive performances on the part of subnational governments while still enabling broad local flexibility. In education, the principles of results-based transfers fit in with the mechanism of the educational accountability system. A case in point is the Race to the Top (RttT) program, which aimed to support large-scale educational reform. This study examines whether the RttT program achieved its goal of improving student achievement in Florida. A difference-in-differences comparison shows some positive effects of the RttT program when considering spillover effects or comparing Florida with a state that did not receive this fund. The overall estimation results, however, do not support the view that the program has had a significant positive impact on educational achievements. This finding may result from the lack of a clear and singular focus on the specified outputs or a lack of citizen-based accountability.

摘要

基于结果的政府间转移最近引起了学者和实践者的关注。与其他类型的赠款相比，基于结果的方法可以改善地方政府的问责制和响应绩效，同时仍能实现广泛的地方灵活性。在教育方面，成果转移的原则与教育问责制机制相适应。一个典型的例子是“争冠”(RttT) 计划，该计划旨在支持大规模的教育改革。本研究检验 RttT 计划是否实现了提高佛罗里达州学生成绩的目标。在考虑溢出效应或将佛罗里达与未获得该基金的州进行比较时，差异中的差异比较显示了 RttT 计划的一些积极影响。然而，总体估计结果并不支持该计划对教育成就产生重大积极影响的观点。这一发现可能是由于缺乏对特定产出的明确和单一关注，或者缺乏基于公民的问责制。