How'd ya like them apples

Since 2000 the federal government has doubled its spending on school, with no increase and many times a decrease in how well the kids are doing.  Does this say we should spend less, spend more, or spend differently.

My opinion runs with all of the above, but in different degrees.   I think free high school education is one of the few things a government should do, and it does not appear to be doing it well (surprise, surprise).    But what we are doing is obviously not working, and think focusing on standardized test scores is one of the problems with this, not to mention that property taxes pay a significant proportion of schools incomes.

Not only that private schools are charging tuitions that are more than most colleges, it is a crazy thought to me to spend that kind of money on high school, but I may have to for my kids especially if I end up in the Big Easy as it is looking most likely, or if Galt's Gulch ends up being in norther California (the other place I may live) I will still be paying for that private school

So this is defiantly a case of more not necessarily being better, and was curious on the thoughts of others on the dismal state of our schools.

-Zachary