One of the leading causes given for the economic stagnation within the American economy is the rising cost of educating our population. Many clamor for increased funding, while others complain about the waste associated with government's involvement in our education process. When one looks at the many charts or surveys one can get conflicting views. Basically, analysts or writers use whatever survey or trend that supports their viewpoint. Maybe, you will think I am just as guilty. What is the correlation between spending and success in education?
Let’s compare the top and bottom states in spending. New York leads the nation in spending $20,610 per student, yet their SAT test scores average places them in the bottom 50% of all states. Utah spends the least averaging about $6500 per student. However, Utah routinely is in the top ten in SAT scores. Recently, they dropped to 13 mostly due to other states efforts on improving education. One look at this vast disparity and one can see money spent and high SAT scores do not go hand in hand. However, using this information only can be misleading.
While spending and scores do not go hand. High expectations from the state, family, and schools tend to be reflected in scores. In addition, while the Midwest generally test out very well, when using other tests like the ACT many other states suddenly climb very high in the standings. Why the difference? Within certain areas of the country the ACT is more popular than the SAT. In those states usually only the top students take the SAT. For example, within New York 76% of students took the SAT, In Utah only 5% took the test.
A closer look at the situation one will see the involvement and quality of curriculum, parents, teachers, and school boards have a more direct effect on scores. Within all states there are good and bad districts. Results are based on how money is spent not how much.
Let’s compare the top and bottom states in spending. New York leads the nation in spending $20,610 per student, yet their SAT test scores average places them in the bottom 50% of all states. Utah spends the least averaging about $6500 per student. However, Utah routinely is in the top ten in SAT scores. Recently, they dropped to 13 mostly due to other states efforts on improving education. One look at this vast disparity and one can see money spent and high SAT scores do not go hand in hand. However, using this information only can be misleading.
While spending and scores do not go hand. High expectations from the state, family, and schools tend to be reflected in scores. In addition, while the Midwest generally test out very well, when using other tests like the ACT many other states suddenly climb very high in the standings. Why the difference? Within certain areas of the country the ACT is more popular than the SAT. In those states usually only the top students take the SAT. For example, within New York 76% of students took the SAT, In Utah only 5% took the test.
A closer look at the situation one will see the involvement and quality of curriculum, parents, teachers, and school boards have a more direct effect on scores. Within all states there are good and bad districts. Results are based on how money is spent not how much.