New research released by Washington Policy Center, a non-partisan public policy research think tank based in Seattle, provides key facts for the Tacoma School District. Education budgets in Washington State are at historic highs, reaching $10,200 per student statewide. Average teacher pay in this area is $65,597 for a ten-month work year. 112 Tacoma public school employees receive more than $100,000 a year.

Yet, because of restrictive work rules and multi-layered bureaucracy, only 59 cents of every education dollar reaches the classroom and public school students continue to lag in academic achievement. The research shows that more money won’t help public schools, and that policymakers can improve student learning with existing funding. Practical ideas for reform are available in the Center’s study, Eight Practical Ways to Reverse the Decline of Public Schools.

1.  Schools and Students

• Number of students: 27,257
• Number of schools: 58

2.  School Staffing

• Number of employees: 3,144
• Number of full-time classroom teachers: 1,303
• Number of students per employee: 9
• Number of students per classroom teacher: 21
• Share of employees who are classroom teachers: 41%
• Number of paid days off: 12 days of sick leave, 5 days of bereavement leave, 3 days of family illness leave, and 2 days of extraordinary leave.
• Collective bargaining rules for layoffs: Younger teachers with lower seniority are laid off first.
• Collective bargaining rules for teacher evaluations: Numerous administrative obstacles to removing poor-performing teachers from the classroom.

3.  Education Spending

• Total education 2009-10: $366 million
• Total per-student spending: $13,427
• Operations budget 2009-2010: $311.3 million
• Per-student spending, operations only: $11,968
• Average teacher pay for ten-month work year: $65,597
• Average teacher pay with all benefits: $84,716
• Average administrator pay with all benefits: $133,750
• Superintendent’s pay without benefits: $240,000
• Number of employees paid over $100,000 a year: 112
• Education funds paid as dues to teachers union in May 2007-8: $2.3 million

4.  Student Learning

• Number of full class days provided by Tacoma Schools: 178
• High school on-time graduation rate: 70.1%

5.  2009-10 Measures of Student Progress and High School Proficiency Exam Results

• 39% of fourth graders failed in reading
• 55% of fourth graders failed in math
• 44% of fourth graders failed in writing
• 43% of eight graders failed in reading
• 65% of eighth graders failed in math
• 26% of tenth graders failed in reading
• 72% of tenth graders failed in math
• 16% of tenth graders failed in writing
• 68% of tenth graders failed in science

6.  Parent Choice

• Number of charter schools permitted: 0

Download a PDF of Key Facts about Tacoma Public Schools here.