Owners of all types of real properties, especially owners and occupants of big city downtown properties, have a high investment in the educational quality of the local labor force, and should encourage improvement even if it results in increased property taxes. Every real estate investment is "locked in" to the specific geographic location of the property. The long-term prosperity, and market value, of every property depends on the long-run economic viability of the general area in which it is located. A key ingredient in the area's long-run viability is the quality of the labor force available to firms located there. If the quality of the area's labor force is low, the area's overall ability to attract new firms and retain existing ones will deteriorate. The change will weaken the demand for whatever real property is located there. Moreover, the importance of the quality of the labor force as a locational factor is increasing because of rising demand for high technology worker skills. The deterioration of educational quality is especially debilitating in large cities. Property owners should take an active role in ensuring that local schools use resources effectively to improve educational performance. (FMW)