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Hard Strategy

Pencils & Backpacks

#Public Sector
ProHub Comment

This case tests the candidate's ability to diagnose systemic inefficiency in public sector spending and equity allocation. The exhibits progressively reveal that the core problem is not insufficient funding but rather inequitable distribution—districts with higher-need populations paradoxically receive the same per-student funding as those with lower needs. The candidate must navigate complex quantitative analysis, political considerations, and choose between a nuanced weighted allocation model versus a simpler flat-rate approach.

Estimated Time 15 minutes
Difficulty Hard
Source Duke
50 / 100
Our client, the governor of a southeastern state here in the US, is worried about student performance in K-12 schools in the state. The state has 180 school districts and recently increased spending from $3.2B to $4.5B annually on public education, but isn’t seeing the results it expected. She has hired us to diagnose the problem and identify a solution.

Clarifying Information

  1. We are focused only on public schools. Private schools, magnet schools, and for this exercise charter schools, can be ignored.
  2. The governor is up for re-election next year and she ran her original campaign on a platform to reimagine education in the state.
  3. According to a recent publication, the state ranks 48th in student proficiency.
  4. The governor’s goal is simply to increase student achievement.