Public School Spending
Adjusted for inflation, by how much has the average annual spending per public school student risen since 1960?
Correct Answer
Data from the U.S. Department of Education shows that the average annual inflation-adjusted spending per public school student has risen by 31% since 2000, 111% since 1980, 4.1 times since 1960, and 25 times since 1920. These figures don't include state government spending on administration, the unfunded liabilities of pensions for government employees, and the costs of post-employment non-pension benefits like health insurance. Scientific surveys commissioned by Just Facts and Education Next show that voters significantly underestimate public school spending.
DocumentationPublic School SpendingScientific Survey Methods