Education

School Funding Is Down In Dozens Of States, And Louisiana Is One Of Them

WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio | By Jess Clark

Published November 29, 2017 at 1:28 PM CST

A new report shows per-student spending is down in a majority of the states, including Louisiana.

Louisiana is among 29 states spending less on students than before the Great Recession, according to a new report from the .

School funding comes from state, local and federal sources, with the states usually picking up the largest part of the tab. The report says, adjusting for inflation, Louisiana's per-student, state school funding dropped 12.4 percent between 2008 and 2016.

Researchers chalked up the trend to Recession-era state budget cuts that have not been restored. They also note that many states, including Louisiana, cut taxes during those years, bringing in less revenue for schools and other public services.

With federal education expenditures also down, many Louisiana school districts are relying more heavily on local governments to fill the gap.

Louisiana is one of 29 states spending less per pupil than before the Great Recession.