Putting More Money Into the Classroom
A vital first step towards fixing Arizona’s public schools
In Arizona, K-12 school spending per pupil has increased 116% since 1970, even when controlling for inflation.1 Despite this, Arizona ranks last among all 50 states and Washington, D.C., for the relative change in average teacher salaries during the same period, with inflation-adjusted salaries declining by 14.1%.2
Nationally, only about 40% of the 4.6 million adults added to school districts since 1960 have been teachers. Today, in Arizona, only 45.6% of school staff are classroom teachers, leaving Arizona 1.9% below the national average.3
Nationally, the increased number of administrators (172%), support staff (246%), and instructional aides (1,438%) has not improved student learning outcomes—and has made it nearly impossible to increase pay that would attract and retain more high-quality teachers.4
Fourth-grade mathematics and reading scores remain below the national average in Arizona.5
THE SOLUTION
K-12 Spending Transparency
Publishing school-by-school information will help ensure that taxpayers know how their money is being spent—and can hold schools accountable.
By creating a window into each purchase a school makes, states empower parents to advocate for less waste, better teacher pay, and funding for other research-backed solutions that are proven to improve student learning outcomes.6–7
HOW IT WORKS
Arizona would set up a public checkbook portal for local schools to publish detailed information about every dollar they spend.
Local officials, parents, and members of the public would have immediate access to information on how every dollar is spent, whether an administrator’s salary, office supplies, or new curricula.
This policy can be even more effective when paired with mandatory training for superintendents, principals, and school board members so that they understand the information and what actions they can take when they find something concerning.
WHY IT MATTERS
When communities come together, armed with facts about how public-school dollars are spent, they can hold schools accountable and advocate for proven strategies that improve student outcomes and compensate teachers fairly.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Education spending transparency allows parents, school boards, and taxpayers to stand up to unaccountable bureaucracies that waste money and fail to educate children.
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