Virginia ups school spending for kids, but still lags behind nation
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Virginia public school systems spent 6.8% more per pupil in fiscal year 2023 than in 2022, per new Census Bureau data.
Why it matters: Spending per student can be a measure of educational resources afforded to kids, but also reflects the costs of administration, building maintenance, transportation and more.
By the numbers: Virginia's spent $16,098 per-pupil spending in 2023.
- That's less than the national average of $16,526 per pupil that year.
Zoom in: Compared to the rest of the South, where the average per pupil spending is just over $13,000, Virginia looks pretty good, Radio IQ reported.
- But compared to the Northeast where the average spending per pupil is over $25,000, the state looks like it's falling behind, Chad Stewart with the Virginia Education Association told the station.
What they're saying: "Virginia's consistently close to the top 10 for median and average income in the country," Stewart says. "And we're often in the bottom 15 states for state spending per student."
Worth noting: Virginia was No. 24 in per pupil spending in 2023.
- And with the budget set to go into effect in July, the state's per pupil spending will have increased by more than 50% since the pandemic, according to Gov. Youngkin's office.
Zoom out: In raw dollar terms, Washington, D.C. ($31,629), New York ($30,012) and Vermont ($26,345) had the most spending per pupil in 2023.
Caveat: These figures aren't adjusted for cost of living differences or inflation.
- And they're based on "current spending" rather than long-term capital outlays. Some states and districts categorize spending differently between those buckets.
What we're watching: Many public schools rely at least partially on federal funding, the future of which is uncertain amid the Trump administration's budget cuts and political pressure.