The failure of Proposition 76 promises to re-focus attention on the school

finance debate.  Is California appropriately funding its schools? How much

is enough? How high are we aiming for student results? How well are schools

using the funding they get?

 

EdSource's new eight-page annual update, "How California Ranks: A National

Perspective," can help inform that debate. It updates where the state stands

as compared with other states--in terms of student needs, level of funding,

and student results. The picture that emerges is one of lower-than-average

investment, high needs and costs, minimal staffing, and low student

achievement. 

 

Key facts at a glance show that the state ranks:

 

* 1st in percentage of English learners;

* 3rd in teacher salary levels;

* 10th in proportion of low-income students;

* 29th in per-pupil spending;

* 49th in teacher staffing ratios, and

* 44th or below in reading and math achievement on national assessments.

 

Particularly notable is the story told by staffing data. For example:

 

* The average number of teachers per 1,000 students in school districts

nationwide is 63. In Texas that average is 67; in New York, 75. In

California, the same workload is handled by just 48 teachers.

 

* The burden for principals and assistant principals is even greater. The

work handled by 3.4 such administrators nationwide is done in California by

just 2.1 people.