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Source:EdSource Annual Report How California RanksA National PerspectiveSummary from Annual ReportNovember, 2005 EdSource prepares annual report on California public education expenditures and compares them on a national perspective. No other state is quite like California in terms of size and diversity of population, its varied natural resources and industry, and its economic standing.
ChallengesCalifornia has 6.3 million students (2 million more than the next state, Texas) with the largest percentage of English language learners (24%) in 2003-04 for the nation and a high portion of students of low-income (defined as being eligible for free/reduced meals), ranking 10th in the nation. Capacity and EffortCalifornia high per capita personal income in 2002 (12th) combined with a higher than average number of residents under 18 (6th) resulted in close to the national average in personal income per public school student (19th). California ranks close to average in expenditures (including capital spending to build and repair schools) for K-12 school per $1,000 personal income 2001-02. New York and Texas spend $46, while the average was $41 and California was $40. California ranks in the middle of the most populous states but below the U.S> average in expenditures per student based on fall enrollment in 2003-04. New York spent $12,325, Illnois spent $9,854, U.S. Average was $8,248, California spent $7,584, Texas spent $7,168 and Florida spent $6,708. StaffingCalifornia average teacher salaries drpped to third in 2003-04 national rankings but ranks first among the five most populous states. California average is $56,44, New York average is $55,181, Illnois averages $54,230, U.S. average is $46,752, Florida averages $40,604 and Texas is $40,476. California is fifth in beginning salaries, averaging $35, 919 in 2003-04. High teacher salaries combined with average per-pupil spending translates into higher-than-average pupil-teacher ratios. California ranked 49th with a 20.6 to 1 ratio. Contray to some "conventional wisdom" California schools are particularily understaffed in terms of ratio of administrators to students. Staff per 1,000 Pupils in 2003-04
Student AchievementThe primary assessment that provides comparable state-by-state analysis is the National Assessment of Educational Assessment (NAEP). California does not compare favorably to other states. ranking in the bottom six in all areas. Are Californians Getting What They Pay For?To the extent that they represent an accurate indication of student achievement in California, the NAEP scores are an indictment of the state's success in educating its young people. Could educators do a better job? Undoubtedly. There are always ways to improve instructional practice and be more effective. And there are probably school districts that could spend their funds more efficiently. It is vital that California continue to explore every possible way to do better with the current resources. But California schools are attempting to educate the most diverse and challenging student population in the country and doing it with substainally fewer human resources than almost any other state. Based on staffing ratios as a whole, educators in California's public schools are responsible for 35% more students than is typical in the United States. This true of teachers who have more students in their classrooms, but the relative burden is even heavier on school principals and district administrators working to support them. While determining the optimum level of resources and funding is a daunting task, it appears California current investment is insufficient if all students are to have access to an adequate education, let alone an excellent one. Unfortunately, increasing the state's investment in schools is an expensive proposition. But one has to ask, what are the alternatives? 2003 Annual Report on California 2004 Annual Report on California
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