Public School Spending Increasing Faster Than Test Scores, Report Finds

Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University says test scores in most states have decreased while school spending has spiked sharper than inflation

Teacher Shawn Abernathy (R) teaches math concepts using a modern computer projection board at Harlem Success Academy, a free, public elementary charter school in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. Enrollment in schools offering TESOL certification. Chris Hondros/Getty Images

New research indicates that U.S. public school spending has doubled since 2003, outpacing the rate of inflation and showing no clear correlation between more dollars per pupil and higher eighth-grade math and fourth-grade reading scores.

The Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University released its latest findings last month. The report, titled “Will Academic Recovery Stall When the Federal Relief Funds Dry Up?”  also draws attention to the fiscal cliff many districts face in the year ahead as they weigh expenditures against desired achievement.