Iowa's K-12 student spending is up 4%, but still lags most of the nation
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Iowa spent nearly $13,800 per student at K-12 public schools during the 2023 fiscal year, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
- That's up 4% from just under $13,300 in the previous year.
Why it matters: Many studies link educational performance with funding, and some critics contend Iowa's is not keeping up with inflation.
By the numbers: Of 41 states where the data is available, Iowa ranked 28th in 2023.
- Vermont ($26,345), New Jersey ($26,280) and Connecticut ($24,896) spent the most.
- Oklahoma ($11,142), Utah ($10,333) and Idaho ($10,203) spent the least.
The fine print: The figures are calculated by creating state aggregates and including payments made on behalf of public school systems, such as education agencies.
State of play: Iowa's most significant K-12 funding is allocated via the State Supplemental Aid (SSA) formula.
- For this school year, lawmakers increased the SSA by 2.5%, or $191 more to just over $7,800.
- They also increased allocations for teacher salaries and set a $15 per hour minimum pay for educational support employees.
What they're saying: The extra allocations help districts, but often are not enough to offset low SSA increases, says Margaret Buckton, executive director for the Urban Education Network, a nonprofit representing Iowa's urban school districts.
Threat level: Iowa's average per-pupil spending was near the national average in 2013 but had fallen nearly $2,400 behind the national average by 2022, per a report she helped write earlier this year.
Zoom in: Groups like the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) recommenced a 4% increase in this year's SSA formula, noting that per-pupil allocations haven't kept up with inflation for years.
- Public school district officials in places like Des Moines and Iowa City have cited chronic underfunding as a reason they cut millions of dollars in spending ahead of the current school year.
What's next: Iowa's 2025 legislative session begins Jan. 13.