Recent school data confirms what many already suspected.

Schools that invest more in their students usually see better performance.

Student performance which meets or exceeds expectations and higher total per pupil spending tend to correlate in Lexington County school districts.

But SC School Report Card data for the 2018-2019 school year shows that isn’t always the case.

District 3 in Batesburg-Leesville spent the most at $12,287 per student.

Only 36.6% of students met or exceeded expectations in English and 41.8% in Math. In End of Course testing, 51.3% made a C or higher in English and 59.9% reached that in Algebra.

District 4 in Gaston and Swansea spends the least per student at $10,150. Students who met or exceeded expectations in English were at 21.6% and 16.1% in math. 44.1% scored a C or higher on End of Course English testing and 32.8% scored in Algebra.

District 1 in Lexington, Pelion and Gilbert spends $10,733 per student. Students met or exceeded expectations 53.2% of the time in English and 52.8% in math. 65.4% scored a C or higher in EOC English and 67.5% in Algebra.

District 2 in the West Columbia and Cayce area spends $10,587 per student. Students met or exceeded expectations 36.4% of the time in English and 36.3% in math. 57% scored a C or higher in EOC English and 48.5% in Algebra.

District 5 in Irmo and Chapin spends the second most at $11,476 per student. Students consistently scored higher than the rest of the county. 56.4% met or exceeded expectations in English, 54.3% in math, 69.3% scored a C or better in EOC English, and 68.3% scored in Algebra.