U.S. Outspends Other Developed Nations in the Classroom

According to the most recent OECD data from 2014, every year the US spends on average over $16,000 per student. Compared to its peers, the US out spends the OECD average by roughly 50 percent. Despite all this money, the United States consistently falls behind global core competency standards. The average student in Canada is over a year ahead of the average US student in math. Compared to the OECD average, the average US student is a half year behind in math education.

This is largely due to income inequality in the United States, which puts a strain on the educational system. In addition to this gap, the United States also significantly underpays its teachers when compared to other OECD countries. Within the OECD, teacher salaries are roughly on par with other graduate university salaries. While in the United States, the average teacher makes about two-thirds of what the average university graduate makes.