Fact sheet - analysis of K-12 education finance in Oregon
Special Education Costs
Growth in spending on special education in Oregon significantly outpaced growth in spending on regular programs.
From 1992 to 2000, spending per student on regular instruction grew at an annual average rate of 3 percent while spending per student on special education programs grew at an average annual rate of 14.3 percent.
In 1992, Oregon K-12 schools spent $448 per student on special ed programs. By 2000, the system spent $1,301 per student.
K-12 spending as a percent of personal income
During the 1990s, Oregon’s K-12 spending as a percent of personal income fell.
Oregon’s total personal income increased at an average annual rate of 5.7 percent during 1990-2001.
From 1991-2001, K-12 spending as a share of Oregonian’s personal income fell from 4.6 percent to 4.2.
Over the decade, Oregon’s national ranking of K-12 expenditures as a percent of personal income fell from 12th to 23rd.
Oregon’s National Ranking on Per Student Expenditures
During the 1990s, Oregon’s cost per student based on fall enrollment went from $5,195 to $7,357.
During that same period, Oregon’s national ranking based on per student expenditures fell from 15th to 20th.
In 2000-01 Oregon’s cost per student was $7,357; California $6,255; Washington $6,496; Idaho $5,386 and the national average $7,079.
Oregon’s National Ranking on Salaries, Benefits
Oregon spends $346 less per student on salaries in its public schools than the national average.
Oregon spends $448 more per student on benefits (retirement, medical insurance, social security contributions, tuition reimbursement, unemployment compensation and workers’ compensation) than the national average.
Oregon’s salaries per student are comparable to California’s and Washington’s but higher than Idaho’s.
Oregon’s benefits per student are $541 above California’s and $461 above Washington’s and $591 above Idaho’s.
National reports referenced in the analysis include: National Center for Education Statistics, National Education Association, Education Week and Oregon Department of Education.
