NSW hits back over schools funding

The NSW education minister has rebutted his federal counterpart's claims that pumping more dollars into schools won't lead to brighter students.

Adrian Piccoli has responded to federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham's comments lashing out at "the gall" of state governments complaining about a school funding crisis.

Senator Birmingham, defending the government's plans not to commit to the final two years of needs-based Gonski funding, said on Tuesday states should not be let off the hook for schools funding responsibility.

He argued the share of federal funding was at an historic high and the Commonwealth had been doing the heavy lifting with its spending growing twice as fast as the states over a decade.

The minister argues spending more money won't make students smarter.

But Mr Piccoli said he's witnessing first-hand how extra money is helping students achieve stronger results.

"In every school I visit, I see examples of money being put to good use to improve student results and wellbeing," he told AAP.

"I am confident this will translate into improved NAPLAN results."

The federal government has committed to the first four years of the Gonski funding model, and plans to tie funding hikes to inflation from 2018.