New York was number-one in the nation in elementary and secondary public school spending in 2004-05, according to newly released Census Bureau data.

Public elementary and secondary schools in the Empire State spent $14,119 per pupil -- 62 percent more than the national average.   After ranking second in per-pupil spending as of 2003-04, New York jumped ahead of New Jersey to take over the top spot. 

As measured in census data, New York's per-pupil spending increase of 9.2 percent between 2003-04 and 2004-05 was the third largest of any state's -- and nearly double the national average of 5 percent.

The two state budgets have enacted since 2004-05 have featured two record increases in school aid, and Governor Spitzer is committed to a massive expansion of school funding over the next four years.   However, while New York has been a perennial leader in school spending, it does not rank high in pupil performance by various measures.

Tables detailing the latest per-pupil spending data, as well as key measures of educational outcomes, are posted at our DataBank page.