Oklahoma’s education funding remains below 2008

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – A new study shows Oklahoma’s per-student education funding from the Legislature is more than 23 percent below where it was in 2008, more than any other state.

The Washington, D.C.-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities released figures on Thursday that show Oklahoma is among at least 30 states providing less per-pupil funding for grades K-12 now than before the start of the recession.

The study shows Oklahoma is spending about $857 less per student than it did in 2008.

But a spokesman for Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin notes the study does not take into account increases in non-legislative sources of funding for education such as property taxes.