Final answer:
To calculate the total educational spending in Indiana, multiply the number of K-12 students (1.07 million) by the per pupil expenditure ($11,800), resulting in approximately $12.6 billion, rounded to three significant figures. This calculation triggers further discussion on the effectiveness of educational spending in relation to academic achievement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student question pertains to the calculation of the total amount Indiana spends on its K-12 students, given that there are about 1.07 million K-12 students and the state spends approximately $11,800.00 per pupil. To find the total expenditure, we multiply the number of students by the amount spent per pupil. Thus, the total spending is 1.07 million students times $11,800.00 per student. This equation simplifies to a total spending of $12.626 billion, which we round to $12.6 billion to three significant figures, following the rounding rules.
It is important to note that while spending has increased over the years, academic achievement as measured by standardized assessments such as the SAT and international tests has not shown significant improvements. The discussion centers on the effectiveness of increased spending in the educational system and the potential need for reform, considering the major state and local government responsibility for educational funding in the U.S.