The Education Swamp’s Complicated Relationship with Basic Math

Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Executive Director Mike Faulk recently testified during a committee hearing on HCR 21, which provides for legislative approval of the state’s per-pupil spending formula. 

“There needs to be more discussion because we have not calculated the cost of a minimum program of education in this state since 1996. Add those years up. That’s 18 years…” 

Faulk is confused here on at least two fronts:

1.) Basic Math: While we are certainly not mathematicians here at Swampwatch, we’re pretty sure that timeframe adds up to a few more than 18 years. 

2.) Education Funding is Not the Issue; Lack of Parental Control Is: The Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) proposal recommended by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and now under consideration by lawmakers increases funding for the upcoming school year by $71.3 million—bringing the state’s total investment in K-12 education to over $4.3 billion. This includes over $200 million for teacher pay and increased earmarks for differential pay and in-school tutoring programs. 

What’s more, over the last 10 years, Louisiana has increased K-12 education funding by over half a billion dollars, with fewer and fewer kids enrolling in traditional government-run schools. In 2013, the state invested $3.46 billion to educate 684,271 students in K-12 public schools. Last year, we spent $4 billion to educate nearly 25,000 fewer students. 

State Spending on the Minumum Foundation Program to fund K-12 students in Louisiana public schools FY 12-23.

It is clear that no matter how much the state spends on public systems, Louisiana’s “one size fits all” approach to education is not working.

The best way to change this trajectory and the future of our state is to empower parents to decide what’s best for their kids and allow education funding to follow students wherever that may lead.