Supporting Effective Teaching in Tennessee: Executive Summary | Page 21
School Funding
The maintenance and improvement of public schools requires
both sufficient funding and the appropriate allocation of
resources. Adequate school funding levels are at the core of
many education policy debates. However, among researchers,
there is an ongoing debate about the effect of per pupil spending
on student achievement. Although there are some variations
in opinion, the broad consensus is that the most important
question to consider is how education funds are spent rather
than simply what level of education funding is available. While
additional funds may be necessary to fund specific programs or
positions that increase student achievement, research suggests
simply increasing overall educational expenditures does not
automatically increase student achievement.28
As Figure 3.8 illustrates, Tennessee ranks 44th in the nation in
per pupil expenditures, with an average per pupil expenditure
of $8,022. This is $1,941 below the national average of
$9,963 and ranks second to last in the Southeast, above only
Mississippi.29 At $45,030, Tennessee’s average teacher salary
also falls significantly below the national average of $52,308.
This results in Tennessee’s average teacher salary ranking 40th
in the nation, again ranking second to last in the Southeast
ahead of only Mississippi.30
Tennessee uses the Basic Education Program (BEP) to
determine the state’s level of funding for each district. Created
as part of the Tennessee Education Improvement Act of 1992,
Figure 3.8
State Per Pupil Spending on K-12 Education, 2007-08
Washington, DC
New Jersey
New York
Vermont
Wyoming
Massachusetts
Connecticut
Delaware
Maine
Maryland
Rhode Island
Pennsylvania
New Hampshire
Hawaii
Michigan
Illinois
Virginia
Wisconsin
Alaska
Minnesota
West Virginia
U.S. Average
Arkansas
Georgia
New Mexico
Kansas
California
Oregon
Indiana
Colorado
Louisiana
Washington
Kentucky
Montana
Southeast Average
Alabama
Ohio
Florida
Nebraska
South Carolina
North Dakota
North Carolina
Missouri
Iowa
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Oklahoma
Idaho
Mississippi
Nevada
Utah
Arizona
$9,963
$8,969
$8,022
$0
$5,000
$10,000
$15,000
Average Per Pupil Expenditures on K-12 Public Education
Source: National Center for Educational Statistics
20
T h e S t a t e o f E d u c a t i o n i n T e n n e ss e e
$20,000