9 Programs

9.2 The School Foundation Program

The single largest state operating program is the school foundation program that provides a basic funding level for each student in kindergarten through high school. This state funding is augmented for most students by local revenues.

In 1988 the average funding per student was $4,227. It increased to $4,827 in FY 2001. In terms of "real" dollars—when the effect of inflation is eliminated—the foundation funding in FY 2001 was equivalent to only $3,395 1988 dollars (see graph below). This is a decline in funding per student of 25 percent over the 13-year period from 1988 to 2001. During this time, the student population increased from 102,116 statewide in 1988 to 132,256 in 2001.