According to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, state funding for Arizona’s kindergarten through grade 12 public school system remains below its 2007 numbers.

The public school system’s funding is almost 14 percent below what it was prior to 2007. Conducted by a nonpartisan research institute in Washington, D.C., the study reveals that per-pupil spending is also below its 2008 funding levels.

Arizona governor Doug Ducey has made school funding a major priority since his taking office in 2016. Despite allocating money toward school funding throughout the last year though, Arizona’s numbers continue to lag behind.

The study looked at school funding in 48 states and was released at the end of November by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. The analysis finds that through 2015, Arizona cut 36.6 percent of its spending on schools. While some localities have attempted to makeup the differences in spending cuts, Arizona’s school funding still has a ways to go before recovery.

School funding for kindergarten through grade 12 remains a top priority for the Republican governor. He has stated that proposals in January will improve and add to the current funding.

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities concluded the study with some key takeaways. Funding cuts tend to hurt the overall economy. This is due to lower employment in the public school system, lower pay for teachers, and higher class sizes. Lack of funding also impacts the school system’s ability to implement actual reform.

Certain increases in funding in recent years were the result of a lawsuit brought on by the schools. The suit alleged that the state illegally reduced spending and the resulting settlement increased withdrawals of a state land trust which dedicates funding to the public school system.

While Arizona continues to lag behind when it comes to school funding, the governor asserts that additional funding will be added in the new year. State residents await positive changes on the matter.