What does "cost per pupil" measure?

"Cost per pupil" specifically measures the educational expenditure allocated to each student enrolled in a school or district. This figure is vital for understanding how resources are being utilized in education, as it provides insights into the funding available for instructional materials, facilities, teacher salaries, and support services per individual student. By dividing the total educational expenditure by the number of students enrolled, this metric allows stakeholders, including policymakers and educators, to assess the financial investment made in each student's education, which can be compared across districts or states to gauge efficiency and effectiveness in spending.

The other choices do not accurately represent the concept of "cost per pupil." The total number of teachers divided by the number of students may provide some insight into student-teacher ratios but does not reflect the financial aspect of education. Average income per student in a district does not relate to costs or expenditures. Lastly, total school funding divided by the budget does not pertain to individual student costs, as it mixes funding sources with budgeting without a direct focus on individual expenditure per pupil.