Study: Little correlation between per-pupil spending and test scores
By Jack Spencer and Jarrett Skorup | Michigan Capitol Confidential
Many who advocate for perpetual increases in education spending believe greater K-12 funding leads to better educational results. But looking at states across the nation shows this is not the case.
In fact, most states that spend less on K-12 education than Michigan perform better — many significantly better. And analyzing gains in the National Assessment of Educational Progress show lower-spending states are making the largest test score gains.
Three states of particular note are Tennessee, Indiana and Florida. According to the NAEP, these states were among the top six in the nation for achieving net gains for 4th and 8th grade reading and math in 2011, the most recent year for which comparative data is available.
at Michigan Capitol Confidential.
