The Increasing Cost of Public Education.

This paper discusses how various educational inputs have changed in the last decade and examines the impact of those changes on per-pupil salary expenditures. Data for the study, which were obtained from the Missouri Department of Education, cover all certified personnel in St. Louis-area school districts between 1968 and 1976. Analysis of the data shows that teacher-pupil ratio, percentage of certified staff in nonteaching positions, and average level of teacher experience and training all increased during the period, and that these factors all contributed to increased per-pupil salary expenditures. The authors estimate that returning all three variables to 1968 levels could decrease the salary budget by 25 to 32 percent. The authors briefly review research findings on the relationship between student achievement and the three variables and conclude that it is doubtful whether the observed changes have contributed to improved student achievement. (Author/JG)