California drops a notch in public school spending
by By Teresa Watanabe
California slipped a notch in spending per public school pupil in 2011, falling to 35th among
states in a year that marked the first overall drop across the nation in nearly four decades, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Monday.
states in a year that marked the first overall drop across the nation in nearly four decades, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Monday.
The 50 states and Washington, D.C., spent an average $10,560 per student in 2011, down 0.4% from 2010, according to the report. Most of the top spenders were in the Northeast, while the lowest were in the South and West. New York ranked first, spending $19,076 per
student, while Utah ranked last at $6,212.
student, while Utah ranked last at $6,212.
California’s national ranking in school spending has steadily declined since 2008, when the severe economic downturn prompted the state to cut $9.3 billion in educational dollars over the following four years. Per-pupil spending dropped to $9,139 in 2011 compared with $9,863 in 2008, when the state ranked 23rd.
The state is ranked even lower when spending is measured as a percentage of personal income. In