Statewide differences in high- and low-performing district spending

by Judy Bray
A map of the states NM, TX, AR, and LA titled State Context and SEDL Study Results. New Mexico has 89 districts, spends $5,825 per pupil, and has 57% minority students; Texas has 1,042 districts, spends $6,288 per pupil, and has 54% minority students; Arkansas has 307 districts, spends $5,277 per pupil, and has 25% minority students; and Louisiana has 66 districts, spends $5,804 per pupil, and has 51% minority students.

Where districts put their money is indeed important for student success.

Statewide differences in high- and low-performing district spending

  Compared to low-performing districts, the high-performing districts:
All four states Spent a larger share on instruction
LA, NM, TX Spent more per pupil on instruction
Employed more teachers
All four states AR and LA Spent less on general administration
All four states AR and TX Employed fewer administrative staff

An image of a man counting money using an abacus.


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Published in Insights on Educational Policy, Practice, and Research Number 15, September 2003, Investing in Instruction for Higher Student Achievement