(The Center Square) – New Hampshire is a leader in public education spending growth despite losing more students than any other state over the past 20 years, according to a new report.
The study, conducted by researchers at the libertarian think tank Reason Foundation, highlights the challenges faced by public schools, including declining enrollment, budget problems, declining educational success rates, and increased “union activity.” It highlights the current issues. This report analyzes state education spending and outcomes from 2002 to 2020.
The study highlights increases in state spending on public education among the trends. Only five states, including New Hampshire, saw funding growth of more than 50% from 2002 to 2020.
However, as New Hampshire's education spending increased, its student population rapidly declined from just over 206,000 to less than 178,000 (a 14.3% decrease). By comparison, the total increase in public school employees in the state increased by 9.9%. New Hampshire also ranks fourth in the nation in increased benefit spending. The state provided $1,919 per employee in 2022, compared to $4,639 in 2020.
“Public schools must become more responsive to student needs or risk further enrollment declines, especially as students have access to more customizable options,” study authors wrote. have pointed out.
Center Square previously covered New Hampshire's enrollment decline. This decline comes as parents continue to seek educational alternatives to public schools, a situation made worse by COVID-19.
The Reason survey is intended to provide state legislators with information on which to base policy changes. “Looking forward,” the study said, lawmakers should “use this information to ask important questions, such as what are the goals for students and are the resources being directed toward those goals?” “There is.”
