FINANCE

1.      Per Pupil Expenditures FOR K-12 EDUCATION

Definition: Current expenditures are those for the day-to-day operation of the schools. They include all expenditures except those associated with repaying debts, capital outlays (e.g., purchases of land, school construction and repair, interest on debt, and equipment), and programs outside the scope of preschool to grade 12 such as adult education, community colleges, and community services. Expenditures for items lasting more than one year (e.g., school buses and computers) are not included in current expenditures.

Significance: This indicator is a measure of both a commitment to education and to a jurisdiction’s ability to pay.  It is also sometimes used as an efficiency measure allowing users to compare the cost of providing education services on a per pupil basis.  However, doing so can be problematic if the student populations involved are not, themselves, comparable. 

HISTORICAL/TREND ANALYSIS, Per Pupil Expenditures for K-12 Education

Data reflect South Carolina (SC) average, United States (US) average, and Southeast (SE)  average.  The southeast region consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics 2004-05 Data    2003-04 Data   2002-03 Data

2001-02 Data    2000-01 Data    1999-00 Data 

Selected State Rankings, 2004-5 (“1” represents state with highest unadjusted per pupil expenditure. States are ranked from highest to lowest using a standard competition ranking method that accounts for ties occurring when two or more states have the same per pupil expenditure for k-12 education.)

2.      Percentage of Enrolled Students certified as Eligible for Free or Reduced Lunch

Definition: This indicator represents the percentage of enrolled students certified as eligible for free or reduced lunch fees.  It serves as a surrogate measure of financial poverty.  It is generally agreed that the percentage of eligible students is usually higher.

Significance: The indicator is used to determine eligibility for many state and federal programs.

HISTORICAL/TREND ANALYSIS, Percentage of Enrolled Students Certified as Eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch

Data reflect South Carolina (SC) average, United States (US) average, and Southeast (SE)  average.  The southeast region consists of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Source:  U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service

Selected State Rankings, 2006-07 (“1” represents state with highest percentage of enrolled children certified as eligible for free or reduced lunch. States are ranked from highest to lowest using a standard competition ranking method that accounts for ties occurring when two or more states have the same percentage of children certified as eligible for free or reduced priced meals.)

Rev. 11.07.2007