Quality Counts 2009

Education Week released the latest edition of Quality Counts, a report comparing the 50 states on education policy. Every year EdWeek focuses on a specific topic or issue in education; this year the staff looked at how our schools support English Language Learners.

Here’s a snapshot of the nation as a whole, and Washington’s scores:

Overall, Washington scores largely held steady. The state earned a C overall, a B- in Chance for Success, a C in Transitions & Alignment and a C- in School Finance.

Here’s a table comparing Washington’s grades in 2008 to 2009 (only categories graded in 2009 included):

Among the many helpful tidbits in Quality Counts 2009 is updated data on per-pupil funding that have been adjusted for regional cost differences. The most recent national data available is from 2005-06. In raw numbers (from the National Center for Education Statistics), the average amount spent per pupil in Washington was $7,984 and nationally was $9,154. In regionally adjusted dollars those numbers change:

There’s plenty more where this came from, so check it out.