Brains for the bucks? School revenue and student achievement in Oklahoma

Abstract

The primary purpose of this research was to determine the relationship between school funding and student achievement in Oklahoma from 1989 to 1991. The dependent variable in this multiple regression analysis was eleventh grade standardized test scores. The independent variables included per-pupil revenue, percentage of minority students, percentage of students eligible for the free lunch program, and three commonly measured teacher characteristics (salary, experience, and advanced education). The results indicated that there was a significant positive relationship between school funding and student achievement for both 1989–1990 and 1990–1991 in Oklahoma. Clearly, in Oklahoma's public schools, money does matter.