CBC’s new report, The Learning Ledger: New York State School Aid Continues to Rise in the 2023-24 School Year, reveals that New York State’s school aid increases 8.8 percent this year, despite the State’s massive future budget gaps.  

The increase is more stark given the continued decline in enrollment; State aid per student increases 10.2 percent.  

Amid budget problems, New York State continues to increase aid to wealthy school districts, with $2.8 billion now directed to districts that are able to provide a Sound Basic Education (SBE) with local resources and regular federal aid. 

To dive deeper into individual districts, CBC’s interactive maps show each district’s total aid, per-pupil spending, enrollment changes, and more.  

CBC’s analysis also finds that:  

• State school aid increases 8.8 percent to $37.4 billion, or $15,289 per pupil; 
• Districts are set to spend a record $85.8 billion this year, an average of $35,095 per pupil;  
• The State is providing $2.8 billion to wealthy school districts that already have adequate local and regular federal resources to provide a Sound Basic Education (SBE) and an additional $8.6 billion to other districts above what is needed to fund an SBE;  
• Only five school districts lack adequate resources to provide an SBE, with a shortfall totaling $9.6 million; and 
• New York’s spending per pupil now is approximately double the national average, based on the latest national data.

To help address out-year budget gaps of nearly $14 billion and to improve education outcomes, New York State should reduce or redirect aid currently allocated to wealthy, self-funding districts and improve its performance management system to identify and spread best practices and appropriately hold districts accountable for accelerating achievement, reducing disparities and reversing learning and social and emotional development loss.  

GRAPHICS AT A GLANCE

• New York State School Aid Increases 8.8% to $37.4 Billion; Per-Pupil Aid up 10.2% 
• Three-Year 'Phase In' Increases Foundation Aid $5.6 Billion, or 30%  
• State Aid To Highest Wealth Districts Increases at Slightly Faster Rate Than To Lowest Wealth Districts
• Many Wealthy Districts Receive Substantial State Aid Despite Ample Local and Federal Resources
• New York Spending Per Pupil Nearly Double The National Average and Has Grown Faster