Finding clear, accurate and meaningful information on the dollars collected and spent on K-12 public education can be a daunting task. We seek to make the task easier for citizens, policy makers and researchers, while combating some common myths and adding context to questionable claims.

Follow the links below to resources we have compiled, as well as to other sources of raw data so you can dig deeper yourself if you so wish. And if you encounter any questions along the way, please contact Ben DeGrow.

A quick picture of total revenues for Colorado K-12 public education in the most recent year with available data:

When adjusted for inflation and real purchasing power, Colorado K-12 per-pupil spending was remarkably steady through the recent recession years:

Education Policy Center Resources:

1. Colorado K-12 Funding: Follow the Money (a podcast PowerPoint presentation)
2. Counting The Cash for K-12 (Issue Backgrounder 2006-A) by Ben DeGrow
3. A Second Look at K-12 Cash (Issue Backgrounder 2008-B) by Ben DeGrow
4. How does Colorado compare to other states in total K-12 spending?
5. How did Colorado and U.S. K-12 spending change from 1988 to 2008?
6. Which group’s numbers have grown more nationwide in public K-12 education: students, teachers, or administrators?

Other Resources:

• Colorado Department of Education, Understanding Colorado School Finance
• Colorado Department of Education, District Revenues and Expenditures
• National Education Association, Rankings of States and Estimates of School Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics – Common Core of Data
• U.S. Census Bureau, Public School Finance Data