And he could not resist putting in a plug for high per-pupil spending.

State officials said that ultimately, they expect per-pupil spending to be around the current average of between $7,000 and $8,000 per pupil.

In both states, student achievement is rising even while per-pupil spending remains below the national average.

But charters will not reduce per-pupil spending for those students who remain.

If a school has many long-time teachers, who earn more, its per-pupil spending is greater.

The state's per-pupil spending is the highest in the nation.

The amount is based on an average of the district's overall per-pupil spending for the previous three years.

When I took office, we ranked near the bottom in per-pupil spending - 43rd to be specific.

Typically, she said, lengthening the school day can add about 30 percent to a state's per-pupil spending on education.

During that year, its per-pupil spending was $3,587, one of the lowest in the area.