# 14 - K-12 Education Cost and Outcomes In California

What results are we getting

for what we are spending ?

FUNDING

California’s public schools receive funding primarily from state sources (around 55%), followed by local (about 34%) and federal (about 11%).

California’s public schools receive funding primarily from state sources (around 55%), followed by local (about 34%) and federal (about 11%). Around $25,300 per student in total funding for 2023–24 (about $4,200 above the national average at the time).

According to usafacts.org.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS AND OUTCOMES

National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP, 2024) shows California consistently below the national average :

Grade 4 Math: Average score 233 (national 237); ~35% at or above Proficient.

Grade 4 Reading: Average score 212 (national 214); ~28–29% at or above Proficient (with a substantial share below Basic).

Grade 8 Math: Average score 269 (national 272).

Grade 8 Reading: Average score 254 (national 257).

Source nces.ed.gov

ANOTHER KEY FACTOR

High school graduation rate (4-year adjusted rate): 87.5%, the highest in years (up since 2017).

Source nces.ed.gov

Conclusion : To spend around $25,300 per year for each student and only 87% graduate from High School is a tragedy for each student's future, it is rip-off for the taxpayor and is a calamity for our country. We cannot ignore this any longer. We (Cal Grit and hopefully many who are reading this right now) need to take action to demand better performance from our schools and from the entire state educational system.

When our kids fail, we as a country fail.

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