Interactive Web Site Shines Light On Georgia Education Spending
“The Georgia Public Policy Foundation started a transparency initiative for this state because we believe transparency is good government. Everyone spends money more carefully if they know someone is looking over their shoulder. We know, based upon the experience in other states, that transparency will lead to cost savings as we identify duplication, waste and opportunities for efficiencies.
The data exclude capital spending, such as buildings or buses. The data are available per student or total dollar amounts. All of the data can be easily downloaded for Georgians who want to conduct their own analysis.
Interactive charts allow users to compare per-student spending to similar schools across the state. Also available on the Web site is the Report Card for Parents, the academic achievement data and school rankings that the Foundation has published annually for over a decade.
The Foundation cautions that not all school systems allocate spending in the same manner. For example, spending by the school system on transportation or facility maintenance may benefit a particular school but may not be reported at the school level if the school system chooses not to individually allocate those expenses. Individuals interested in learning more about financial procedures should contact their local school system officials.
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