High instructional spending for schools can mean better qualified or more experienced teachers, stronger curricular materials or offerings, better teacher retention, or stronger instructional experiences for students. Instructional spending captures the amount per student that directly relates to students' classroom experiences. It may also signal public support for education. However, studies have found higher spending does not necessarily lead to higher student achievement, given the many factors that contribute to student success, including parental and community influences.

In 2017, instructional spending in our region was about $15,800 per student, lower than the state ($18,600) and the state excluding NYC ($17,700). Instructional spending has increased by 43% since 2000, after adjusting for inflation, less than the 60% increase statewide. Yates and Seneca counties had the highest per student cost for instruction at slightly above $17,000, while Wyoming spent the least among all counties at $14,600. Monroe County was third behind Yates and Seneca and spent slightly over $16,000. The Rochester City School District spent more per student than the region and counties at almost $17,200, though this level of instructional spending per student was still lower than the state level. Geneva was the only geography that spent slightly more than the state at almost $18,700 per student.

All figures are in constant U.S. dollars.