By 2008, the total expenditure for public elementary and secondary schools in the United States was approximately which amount?

By 2008, the total expenditure for public elementary and secondary schools in the United States was approximately which amount?

• A. $400 billion
• B. $500 billion
• C. $596 billion
• D. $700 billion

Answer: (C)

Understanding the scale of public K-12 funding helps here. By 2008, total current expenditures for public elementary and secondary schools in the United States were about $596 billion. This fits with roughly 50 million public school students and an average annual spending per student around ten to twelve thousand dollars, placing the total near $600 billion. The other figures are less plausible for that year: $400 billion or $500 billion would imply notably lower per-pupil spending or enrollments than observed, while $700 billion would exceed the typical total given the number of students and typical per-pupil costs in 2008.

Understanding the scale of public K-12 funding helps here. By 2008, total current expenditures for public elementary and secondary schools in the United States were about $596 billion. This fits with roughly 50 million public school students and an average annual spending per student around ten to twelve thousand dollars, placing the total near $600 billion.

The other figures are less plausible for that year: $400 billion or $500 billion would imply notably lower per-pupil spending or enrollments than observed, while $700 billion would exceed the typical total given the number of students and typical per-pupil costs in 2008.