Oklahoma Ranks #47 In School Funds

Friday, May 25th 2007, 10:43 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Oklahoma ranks No. 47 nationally in per-student education funding, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The bureau released 2004-2005 funding statistics Thursday by state, including the District of Columbia. Oklahoma spent $6,613 per student. The national average was $8,701.

State Superintendent of Education Sandy Garrett said Oklahoma had improved slightly in the years leading up to those covered in the report.

She said Gov. Brad Henry's priority from after his 2002 election was to increase teacher pay.

``The focus has really been on teacher funding,'' she said, calling school funding ``a moving target'' because of legislators' priorities each session.

The census report said New York spent the most per student at $14,119, and Utah spent the least at $5,257.