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Funding Facts

Key Facts About Funding for K-12 Instructional Materials

Instructional materials have long been considered second only to the teacher in the central role they play in the classroom. However, by many measures state and local spending for instructional materials is very low.

Fact #1: In California, less than one percent (0.8%) of the Proposition 98 K-12 education dollar is spent on instructional materials. (Sources: 2007-08 Analysis, Office of the Legislative Analyst, pp E-82.) Less than 1 percent (.09) of the total education dollar is spent on K-12 instructional materials nationwide. (Source: AAP)

Fact #2: During the five-year period 2001-2005, spending on K-12 instructional materials in California averaged $71.60 per pupil or just 40 cents per instructional day. (Source: AAP)

Fact #3: Instructional materials are affordable. For example, a $50, 5th grade textbook used over the course of six years costs just $8.33 per year or less than 5 cents per instructional day.

Fact #4: In 2005, per pupil spending for instructional materials varied significantly by state – from a high of $92.90 in Indiana to a low of $26.59 in Washington state.

Fact #5: Spending on core instructional materials in the United States lags far behind other industries. For example:

• Pet Care & Pet Products $36.3 billion (2005)
• Toys $21.9 billion (2005)
• Video Games $10.5 billion (2005)
• Core Instructional Materials $ 4.04 billion (2005)

(Sources: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association, the Toy Industry Association, the NPD Group/Retail Track, and AAP.)