Go Figure
Yesterday,. we reported on the FY 2011 cost-per-pupil numbers for area school districts from the new WABE (Washington Area Boards of Education) Guide. Below, we add the SAT scores for the districts (average math + average critical reading + average writing). The WABE report is available here on the APS website.
Locality Cost-per-Pupil Total SAT Score
Arlington County $17,322(1) 1657(3)
Alexandria City $16,983)2) 1442(7)
Falls Church City $16,729(3) 1795(1)
Fairfax County $12,597(4) 1664(2)
Prince George’s County $11,611(5) 1306(8)
Manassas City $11,351(6) 1491(6)
Loudoun County $10,833(7) 1597(4)
Prince William County $9,577(8) 1508(5)
The cost number for Arlington County includes a footnote, which says, “Does not include $10.5 million reserve for the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) and Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) budgeted in FY 2011 but earmarked for FY 2012 and beyond.”
If your favorite School Board member can provide a coherent explanation of the connection between SAT scores and the tax dollars poured into Arlington County’s public schools, we would be happy to post the explanations.