K12 funding rankings reveal state placed 31st in revenue and 29th in spending

The Special Education and Related Services Funding Task Force convened on May 7, 2025, to discuss critical aspects of education funding in Kansas. The meeting focused on reviewing data related to per-pupil funding and overall state rankings in education revenue and spending.

The session began with a discussion on a table derived from census data, which ranked states based on per-pupil funding. A member confirmed that the data included figures from fiscal year 2023, clarifying that Kansas was ranked 31st among the 50 states in terms of revenue per pupil. Additionally, the state was ranked 29th for overall spending on education.

The task force utilized various documents, including information from the Kansas Legislative Research Department (KLRD) and the Kansas State Department of Education (KSD), to support their analysis. This data included National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores and financial documents relevant to education funding.

The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges Kansas faces in education funding, as the rankings indicate that the state is below the national average in both revenue and spending per pupil. The task force's discussions highlighted the need for continued evaluation and potential reform in funding strategies to improve educational outcomes in Kansas.

As the meeting concluded, members acknowledged the importance of these findings and the necessity for further discussions on how to address the funding disparities. The task force plans to reconvene to explore actionable steps based on the data reviewed.