The relationship between per capita spending and certain assumed indicators of quality in education

The purpose of this research was to determine if relationships existed between per capita spending and other assumed indicators of quality in education. The indicators or variables other than per capita spending were (a) drop out ratio, (b) length of service for teachers, (c) teacher tenure within a district, (d) teacher training, (e) staff/pupil ratio, (f) variety and number of course offerings, and (g) variety and number of student activities. Data for all variables except student activities were obtained from files of the Texas Education Agency. A questionnaire was used to obtain needed information on student activities. For comparative purposes on school size, the sample was divided into two groups: schools below 1,000 ADA (50 schools) and schools of 1,000 and above ADA (64 schools). The population from which samples were drawn was Southeast Texas. The Pearson product-moment correlation was the statistical technique used to analyze data. Coefficients of correlation were calculated between all variables. Results were interpreted with emphasis on relationships of per capita spending and the other variables. ..