Minnesota, we're average

The Census Bureau today released a survey of education finances and determined that on average, the U.S. spends $9,138 per pupil per year.

Minnesota? It spends $9,138 per pupil per year.

According to the data, which is based on 2005-06, Minnesota spends $5,891 on salaries, wages, and employee benefits related to instruction, and $2,832 in support services. $385 -- 4% -- goes to administration.

This ranks Minnesota 22nd in the nation. New York and New Jersey top the list with Utah trailing the pack at $5,437 per student. North Dakota leads the nation in administrative spending.

Download an Excel spreadsheet of the data here.

Somewhat interesting.

What would be really interesting is showing the data over time and seeing if there's a correlation between spending, test scores & dropout rates. Even more interesting would be to see if you can learn anything about the future workforce and/or economy based on the education data.

My gut feeling is that states typically known for their high tax rates also have better-educated workforces, and generally better economic statistics. Has anyone seen studies that attempt to correlate (or disprove) such relationsips?

The data Bob lists above shows MN's school spending to be 'average'. I think we used to be above average (i.e. spent more). Our economy is in a recession, according to Tom Stinson. Coincidence or correlation?

Anyone want to write me a grant to study the issue?

$9,138 per pupil per year>

Let's do some math!!

Let's start with the data for the Minneapolis Public Schools

Find the line that reads "Our entire budget for the 2007-08 school year is $654,453,751"

Okay, so far?

Now take the figure right under the heading that reads "Our K-12 Students", the one right next to the text "Total Enrollement". See the number? It should read 34,570.

Now, here is where it gets fun!!

Take $654,453,751 and divide it by 34,570.

What do you get?

I got $18,931.

Gosh, that is almost double the state figure!!

How could that be? By the way, what is the drop-out rate of the Minneapolis Schools?

A better question, what numbers are not being included in that $9,138 state-wide figure?

Unfortunately it’s not simple math, GregS. K-12 finance is one of the most complicated funding structures around. See this link to get the jist.

Of the funds listed on the Minneapolis document, it's the General Operating Fund that goes toward the education program. That works out to a per student average of about $12,600. Minneapolis receives more per student than the state average because it has higher numbers of students in poverty and higher numbers of students learning English. It’s state policy to provide higher levels of funding for those students.

As for the rest of the funds: Food Service Fund, that's the lunch program; Reemployment Fund, I don't know what that is, but it looks like a special appropriation for Minneapolis because it's not common to other school districts; Community Services Fund is for Community Education, something most districts provide to their community (adult classes, ECFE, etc.); Capital Projects/Building Construction Fund is exactly what it says it is; Debt Service, that's the fund used to pay off bond issues; Funded Grant Projects, exactly what it says it is, grants from private funders that usually are used for specific purposes and not applied to the general cost of education.