NCES Report on State-Level Revenues and Expenditures for Public Schools

Washington, D.C. – The National Center for Education Statistics is out with the latest look at state-level revenues and expenditures in the nation's public schools, which increased for the third year in a row in the 2015-16 school year. Here are the highlights: 

The third straight year of increases represent a recovery from the economic downturn, which hit schools with four straight years of declines through 2013. Spending at public elementary and secondary schools rose by 2.9 percent from 2015 to 2016, a tick lower than the 3.2 percent boost the year before. 

Per pupil expenditures hit $11,841 nationally, an increase of 2.8 percent after adjusting for inflation. At the state level, per pupil spending ranged from $7,006 in Utah to $22,231 in New York. Washington, D.C. ($21,135), Connecticut ($19,615), New Jersey ($19,041), Vermont ($19,023), Alaska ($17,510) and Massachusetts ($16,986) all spent at least 40 percent more per student than the national average.

Revenues rose, as well, by 4 percent from fiscal 2015 to 2016. Local revenues increased by 3.7 percent, while state revenues increased by 4.9 percent and federal revenues saw a slight 1.1 percent bump, after adjusting for inflation. Download the report at https://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2019301.

 

Featured

  • Minnesota Middle School Finishes $23.5M Addition and Modernization

    Highland Park Middle School in St. Paul, Minn., recently announced the completion of a $23.5-million addition and remodel project, according to a news release. Saint Paul Public Schools partnered with ATS&R Planners, Architects & Engineers for its design and Kraus-Anderson for its construction.

  • Countway Library at Harvard Medical School

    From Shadows to Sanctuary: The Transformation of Light at Countway Library

    The renovation of Countway Library at Harvard Medical School demonstrates how biophilic design and advanced lighting strategies transformed a formerly dark, insular space into a vibrant, welcoming hub that supports wellness, learning, and community engagement.

  • Rhode Island Boarding School Completes Student Dorm Renovations

    St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I., recently announced the completion of a $26-million renovation project on Arden-Diman-Eccles Dormitory, according to a news release. The school partnered with Voith & Mactavish Architects (VMA) on the new space, which places a new focus on collaborative community spaces open to both boarding students and day students.

  • Pitzer College

    Designing for Change in Higher Ed Learning Environments

    Higher education will continue to evolve, and learning environments must evolve with it. By prioritizing adaptable infrastructure, thoughtful reuse, strong energy performance, and wellness-centered design, campuses can create spaces that support learning today while remaining flexible for the future.