Texas Per-Pupil Funding Falls As School Finance Ruling Looms

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AUSTIN (AP) - As Texas' massive school finance case awaits a state Supreme Court ruling, per-pupil funding is falling farther below the national average.

The National Education Association announced data Friday showing state spending per K-12 student is $9,561 in 2015-2016. That's $2 more than last school year's total, but $2,500-plus below the national average.

Texas now ranks 38th nationwide in per-pupil spending.

The Legislature cut $5.4 billion from education funding and grants in 2011. More than 600 school districts sued in a case still being considered by the Texas Supreme Court.

In 2010-2011, before the cuts, per-pupil spending statewide was $9,462, or nearly $1,700 below the national average.

Lawmakers have since pumped billions back into classrooms. But that hasn't covered the 2011 gap when adjusted for inflation and rising public school enrollment.

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