Chart of the Day: Public School Enrollment vs Staff

One of the drivers of education spending is an increase in staff sizes while enrollment has declined. Data from the PA Department of Education indicates that from 1999-2000 to 2010-11 the state has seen a 15 percent increase in public school staff and a two percent decline in enrollment.

Since 2000, public schools added 35,821 additional staff while enrollment dropped by 35,510. This trend is important to keep in mind when discussing “draconian” cuts, and in the future of education reform.