K–12 Education Expenditures

Rationale

While the relationship between education spending and achievement is not a simple one, it is clear that investments in education can have a significant impact on the long-term economic health of households and communities. Scholarly research has demonstrated a significant relationship between education spending and future earnings. Moreover, in an information-age economy that increasingly places a premium on skilled workers, gross underfunding of education in certain districts has serious consequences for the life chances of disadvantaged students.

About Measure

Per-pupil expenditures for K–12 students from federal, state, and local sources, adjusted for cost-of-living differences among states (in 1999-2000).

Source

U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2001). Current expenditures for public, elementary, and secondary education by state: 1969-70 to 1998-99. Washington, D.C.: Author; and Technical documentation for the American Federation of Teachers cost-of-living index from Nelson, F. H. (2000) An interstate cost-of-living index. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis. 13 (1) pp. 103-111. Index values for Alaska and Hawaii from the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association. (2002). Intercity cost- of-living index. Louisville, KY: Author.