Oregon school spending trails national average

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — When it comes to public school funding, Oregon has firmly established itself as a state that spends 7 percent less per student than the national average.

Federal data released recently shows that nationally, public schools spent $10,500 per student in 2008-09 compared with Oregon, where schools spent $9,800 in the same time period.

The Oregonian says Oregon’s pattern of spending 93 cents for every $1 spent nationally has become entrenched since 2002-03.

That’s when the state Legislature slashed school funding as the economy tanked, prompting Hillsboro to lop 17 days off the school year.

Oregon is not alone in its below-national-average status.

Washington and California never spent more than 98 percent of the national average during the past decade.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com