NYC Public Schools Face Scrutiny as Per-Student Spending Nears $42,000 Amidst "Mediocre" NAEP Results

New York City's public school system is projected to spend a record $42,168 per student in the upcoming 2025-26 school year, positioning it as the highest-spending large school district in the nation. This substantial investment comes amidst ongoing concerns regarding student performance on national assessments and persistent truancy rates, prompting renewed calls for school choice and greater accountability. The Citizens Budget Commission projects this figure, noting a significant increase from previous years despite declining enrollment.

The substantial per-student expenditure reflects a 36% rise over the past five years, with the city's Department of Education (DOE) budget accounting for approximately one-third of New York City's total budget. This includes costs for instruction, operations, employee benefits, and debt payments. A significant driver of these rising costs is the implementation of new state mandates on class size limits, necessitating the hiring of over 3,700 additional teachers.

Despite leading the nation in per-pupil spending, student achievement in NYC public schools remains a point of contention. The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often referred to as "The Nation's Report Card," revealed that in 2022, only 33% of New York State fourth graders scored proficient in math and 28% in reading. Eighth-grade results were similar, with 23% proficient in math and 29% in reading. These figures place New York's performance in the middle-to-lower tier nationally, especially when considering its high spending.

Concerns are further exacerbated by high truancy rates. A recent tweet from Danyela Souza Egorov highlighted these issues, stating, "> NYC public schools are the most expensive in the nation but produce mediocre results on NAEP and 35% of students are truant. Why should taxpayers continue subsidizing the DOE instead of demanding full school choice?" This sentiment underscores a growing debate about the effectiveness of current spending and the potential benefits of alternative educational models.

The discussion around school choice in New York City often focuses on charter schools and other non-public options, with proponents arguing that it could foster competition and improve outcomes. Critics, however, emphasize the importance of robust public school funding. As the city continues to navigate these financial and educational challenges, the focus remains on ensuring that the significant investment translates into tangible improvements for all students.