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School spending rises nationally amid enrollment decline
Total public K-12 spending has increased over 35.8% since 2002, reaching nearly $1 trillion despite a 750,000-student enrollment decline, according to Edunomics Lab and Reason Foundation.
- Recent data show national K-12 spending has risen more than 35.8% since 2002, with per-pupil expenditures rising from $14,969 to $20,322 and total annual public school spending nearing $1 trillion despite an enrollment decline since 2014 of roughly 750,000 fewer students.
- Declining enrollment and reductions in state funding, along with the expiration of federal relief dollars, are straining budgets, as a peer-reviewed study links administrative growth to inefficiency.
- Facing a projected shortfall, LAUSD said it is committed to protecting high-quality student learning and must prepare for responsible, strategic budget reductions, with an $18.8 billion budget and $15.9 billion in revenue, creating a $2.9 billion deficit.
- Teacher pay and outcomes illustrate the stakes — the national average teacher salary reached $72,030 in 2024 but inflation-adjusted growth is about 1.5%, while only one-third of students score proficient in reading.
- Leadership pay and association finances reveal the NEA reported $529.5 million in 2022–23 revenue, with the president earning $495,787, while the teacher compensation gap was-17.1% in 2024.
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25 Articles
25 Articles
School spending rises nationally amid enrollment decline
(The Center Square) – Public school enrollment has declined in recent years even as staffing and spending have increased, prompting debate among education leaders over how resources are being used and whether they are improving student outcomes.
While school spending rises nationally, enrollment continues to decline
Total annual public school spending is nearing $1 trillion nationally. Public school enrollment has declined by roughly 750,000 students since 2014. In that same time, public school employment has grown by more than 600,000 positions.
·Washington, United States
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Total News Sources25
Leaning Left2Leaning Right5Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Right
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Right
46% Right
L 18%
C 36%
R 46%
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