McKinsey
Medium
Non-traditional
Performance Improvement
Quahog Public Schools
Our client is the superintendent of a system of schools in Quahog, Rhode Island. He is concerned because the performance of students from these schools in standardized tests has been repeatedly …
CasesCoach Comment
This case tests structured problem-solving and creative brainstorming in a non-profit education context. The candidate must develop a multidimensional framework to analyze school performance, then narrow focus to a specific resource constraint (book shortage) and quantify potential solutions through a hybrid approach combining partnerships and operational efficiency.
Estimated Time
29 minutes
Difficulty
Medium
Source
Chicago Booth
83
/ 100
Our client is the superintendent of a system of schools in Quahog, Rhode Island. He is concerned because the performance of students from these schools in standardized tests has been repeatedly subpar. He has asked us to help him figure out what to do about it.
Clarifying Information
- Q: What is a “system of schools”? A: For example, Chicago Public Schools
- Q: What are standardized tests? A: Exams that occur at a certain point of the school year for a particular grade level and that are developed and organized by a school district, state, or other large education agency (ex. end of course exams, SAT).
- Q: What is subpar performance? A: On average, a student from Quahog Schools performs below exam mean as compared to national student scores on the same assessment.
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