Many of the state's Abbott districts also spend much more than the state average.

"Almost 40 percent of our state money goes to Abbott districts," he said.

Newark, for example, an Abbott district, spent $12,293 per student, while its average teacher pay was $61,910.

The children in the Abbott districts need the money being directed to their schools.

What are known as the 30 Abbott districts had sought more than $1 billion in aid for 2002-2003.

The district spent $15,420 per student in the 2004-5 school year, though its test scores lag behind the other Abbott districts.

The cost estimate for the Abbott districts exceeds $7 billion.

Last spring, because of a $6 billion deficit in the state's general budget, only the Abbott districts received any additional money over the previous year.

The school is in a "special needs" or one of the Abbott Districts.

Education officials say that will allow them to focus on which programs are succeeding and failing in Abbott districts around the state.