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Education Finance Fact
California is well below average among all states in expenditures per student. When adjusted for regional cost variation, the ranking plummets to 47th.
A variety of groups publish reports each year that compare spending on education across the country. During the past decade, California has stagnated near the middle of the rankings when spending per pupil is compared to unadjusted regional cost differences. The NEA's December 2007 Rankings and Estimates report, California was ranked 29th in spending per student in 2005-06. The report noted that California's expenditures per student were approximately $8,486, compared to the national average of $9,100 (a gap of $614 per student).
Based on an analysis by Education Week, California ranked 47th among the 50 states with an adjusted expenditure level of $7,081 per student compared to the national average of $8,973 per student. New Jersey and New York rank 1 and 2 respectively, with cost-adjusted expenditures of more than $12,200 per student.
While California’s relative ranking based on expenditures per student is not new news, it is worth noting that the gap between the spending on education of California and other states continues to lag behind the national average. Given the current state of the California Budget, it may be a while before we see progress relative to what other states are spending.
School Services of California understands how important it is to fight for adequate and fair funding for schools. Over the years, we’ve led the charge to get state funding for equalization of revenue limits, protected support for special education, and ensured that Basic Aid districts are treated fairly. Each year, we also quickly turn around information about the State Budget as it develops through workshops about the State Budget (e.g., Governor’s Budget, May Revision, and School Finance and Management Conference) and Fiscal Report and Community College Update reporting. Our goal is to support the effective and sound management of education agencies by sharing what we know and supporting the expertise of the field.
A variety of groups publish reports each year that compare spending on education across the country. During the past decade, California has stagnated near the middle of the rankings when spending per pupil is compared to unadjusted regional cost differences. The NEA's December 2007 Rankings and Estimates report, California was ranked 29th in spending per student in 2005-06. The report noted that California's expenditures per student were approximately $8,486, compared to the national average of $9,100 (a gap of $614 per student).
Based on an analysis by Education Week, California ranked 47th among the 50 states with an adjusted expenditure level of $7,081 per student compared to the national average of $8,973 per student. New Jersey and New York rank 1 and 2 respectively, with cost-adjusted expenditures of more than $12,200 per student.
While California’s relative ranking based on expenditures per student is not new news, it is worth noting that the gap between the spending on education of California and other states continues to lag behind the national average. Given the current state of the California Budget, it may be a while before we see progress relative to what other states are spending.
School Services of California understands how important it is to fight for adequate and fair funding for schools. Over the years, we’ve led the charge to get state funding for equalization of revenue limits, protected support for special education, and ensured that Basic Aid districts are treated fairly. Each year, we also quickly turn around information about the State Budget as it develops through workshops about the State Budget (e.g., Governor’s Budget, May Revision, and School Finance and Management Conference) and Fiscal Report and Community College Update reporting. Our goal is to support the effective and sound management of education agencies by sharing what we know and supporting the expertise of the field.