The higher spending per student was before the left took over public education and started skimming large sums off the top and providing schooling for illegals, although I don't remember CA ever being at the top of the spending-per-student list.
We, and other people we talk to from time to time, are leaving because of the leftist philosophy that dominates the state in too many aspects to list, not because they can't afford to buy a home. They're all home owners, as are we.
In 1969, California spent about $400 over the national average per student; in 2000 California spent About $600 below the national average per student, according to the Rand Corporation study, California K-12 Public Schools. How Are hey Doing?.
Providing education to the children of illegal immigrants is a federal mandate imposed on the states, not a state choice.
The federal government has established a program that provides incentives for undocumented immigrants to violate U.S. immigration laws. As a result of federal mandates, states are required to provide health care and education services to illegal immigrants and their children. Further, the federal government confers citizenship to children of parents residing illegally in the state, guaranteeing them education, welfare, and health care. The federal government has failed to fully reimburse states for costs associated with its immigration policies.
http://www.stat.columbia.edu/~gelman/teaching/literacy/summaries/immigrants.asc
We, and other people we talk to from time to time, are leaving because of the leftist philosophy that dominates the state in too many aspects to list, not because they can't afford to buy a home. They're all home owners, as are we.
Most California homeowners I know reject the idea of leaving the state because as long term homeowners, their property taxes are comparatively low. Its their children who can't afford to buy.