Research Paper
Does Per-Pupil Spending Track Academic Performance?
An unadjusted, single-year analysis of per-pupil spending and Performance Index across Ohio's 607 rated traditional public-school districts in 2024–2025.
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RESEARCH Overview
Executive Summary
Across 607 rated districts, total per-pupil spending and Performance Index show essentially no unadjusted linear or monotonic relationship. The analysis does not estimate causation.
Insights
Key Findings
- Pearson correlation: −0.016; Spearman: +0.048.
- Average Performance Index is nearly flat across spending quintiles.
- Enrollment weighting changes the association to weakly negative.
Framework
Methodology & Scope
OCG matched 2024–2025 Ohio School Report Card Performance Index and expenditure-per-equivalent-pupil data for all 607 rated traditional districts by IRN.
context & qualifications
Limitations & Notes
Single-year, cross-sectional and unadjusted; it does not establish causation or recommend funding policy.
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