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K-12 Threatened as State Spending Slumps

The first drop in program expenditures in a quarter-century bodes ill for states’ economic future, a new report warns.

In a trend not seen since the deep recession of the early 1980s, state spending on government programs is declining this budget year—a very bad sign for K-12 education.

That’s the dire economic news from the December 2008 semiannual fiscal survey of states released today by the National Governors Association and the National Association of State Budget Officers.

Together, 36 states face existing budget gaps totalling $30 billion, and are already turning to cuts in K-12 education to help close those shortfalls. The $30 billion tally doesn’t take into account $3.6 billion cut earlier this year as 13 states made mid-year trims to...