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Fact sheet - analysis of K-12 education finance in Oregon

July 29, 2009

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.

Comprehensive Analysis of K-12 Education Finance in Oregon 

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