Education spending equals 0.075 correlation to SAT results

I admit that I skimmed, so I could have missed it. But what "spending" is included in the per-pupil figure? How does the study quantify capital spending? For example, Suburban District X builds a $12 million high school on a sprawling campus in 1996. How is that distributed "per pupil," as opposed to pupils in Urban District Y who attend a high school built in 1952?

Another question: Are teacher salaries (per pupil) adjusted for Cost of Living? That's a significant factor given the dynamics in play. Also, are totals adjusted for special needs/ESL spending? Again, a significant factor given the dynamics in play.

 

Cato

It's about as fair and unbiased as going to the parking lot at Heinz Field and polling people on who is going to win the Super Bowl.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cato_Institute

 

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/05/sat-college-board-redesign-college-entrance-exam/6078091/

http://www.petersons.com/college-search/sat-scores-changes-test.aspx

Does this "report" mention at all that the SAT test gets more difficult over time? We took an easier version 30 years ago and my version was harder than the one given 50 years ago.

 

To use either in a vacuum is likewise, given the geographic disparities between who takes which test.