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Education: Per Pupil Spending Indicator DuPage County shows its interest in education by investing local tax dollars.
ABOUT THE INDICATOR The first indicator measures the amount of expenditures allocated per student for both DuPage County and Illinois from 1997 to 2001. The second indicator represents the sources of educational funding for students in DuPage County and Illinois. School funding comes from state, federal, and local sources. Per pupil spending is an important factor in determining the quality of education. How well a community supports its school systems through local funding is a basic measure of the value of education to the community. OBSERVATIONS Per pupil spending in DuPage County continues to increase, and to exceed overall state levels. In 2001, aggregate spending for schools in DuPage County amounted to $8,202 per pupil, about $700 more than the amount spent by schools in Illinois as a whole. It should be noted, however, that these figures are averages; some school systems in DuPage County spent more than $8,202 per pupil in 2001, while others spent less. Schools in DuPage County are heavily dependent on local tax dollars for funding. Because state and federal funding is based on community income levels, and DuPage County is relatively affluent, its schools do not receive much state and federal support. In 2001, more than 80 percent of educational operating expenditures in DuPage County came from local taxes. TAPESTRY Most of the money spent by a school district goes toward administrative and teacher salaries. Consequently, high per pupil spending should help attract well-qualified teachers to a community. Higher per pupil spending also means a school system is investing more in curricular materials, programs for students, and technology. High quality teachers, programs, and equipment strengthen the quality of education students receive at elementary and high school levels, which in turn can lead to greater success in college and better employment opportunities for DuPage County students. Moreover, high per pupil spending and strong local support of schools indicate that education is highly valued in DuPage County. This is not surprising given that adults in the county tend to be highly educated and therefore recognize the importance of good schooling. The value that adults place on education will most likely be passed on to their children, which ensures continued support for education and a strong future for our schools. HOW TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE
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