Michigan school funding up, but results are flat

By Jarrett Skorup | Michigan Capitol Confidential

Overall, Michigan school spending has increased significantly over the past few decades, but test scores have remained relatively flat.

A new study from the Cato Institute, using information from the National Center for Education Statistics, found Michigan saw a large increase in spending with few apparent educational benefits.

“Inflation-adjusted per pupil spending in Michigan rose dramatically from 1972 to 2009 — going from $7,500 to over $12,000 in today’s dollars. That’s a 70 percent increase,” said Andrew Coulson, director of Cato’s Center for Educational Freedom and author of the study. “Over that same period, the state’s academic achievement rose by less than 1 percent. It’s hard to look at those numbers and not be disappointed.”

at Michigan Capitol Confidential.