Burnt Orange Report

NEA: Per Pupil Expenditures Falls in Texas, Increases Everywhere Else

By Phillip Martin

A recent report by the National Education Assoication showed that Texas is the only state in the country that lowered the amount of money it spends per student, falling from $7,214 in 2004 to $7,142 in 2005. In contrast, the average expenditure per pupil nationwide increased by $300.

Texas State Teachers Association (TSTA) President Donna Haschke had the following to say about the recent slip in per-pupil spending:

“The Texas Supreme Court just warned the legislature that we are ‘drifting toward constitutional inadequacy,’ and this new data indicates that our state education investments may have already failed to make the grade and slipped into that category,” said Texas State Teachers Association President Donna New Haschke.

“Although teachers and education support professionals have fought against all odds to help our students continue to make progress and meet academic standards, they cannot continue to do so without the tools they need for teaching and learning,” Haschke observed.

“The legislative leadership has failed to craft and pass a viable plan to provide funding to improve Texas schools for the past three years,” she said. “It was inevitable that Texas would continue to fall farther behind what other states are doing to help our students and teachers.”

The report didn't factor in the recent influx of students from Hurricane Katrina.

Also to consider: Texas teachers make $6,688 less than the national average. Compared to other states, Texas teacher salaries fell – for the fifth consecutive year – to 33rd in the country. Nationwide, teachers saw more than $1,000 in average pay increase; in Texas, teachers only saw slightly more than a $500 average pay increase, received due to local districts and built-in salary increases. The state has not given teachers a raise since 1999.