Financing Public Schools Theory, Policy, and Practice

Financing Public Schools moves beyond the basics of financing public elementary and secondary education to explore the historical, philosophical, and legal underpinnings of a viable public school system. Coverage includes the operational aspects of school finance, including issues regarding teacher salaries and pensions, budgeting for instructional programs, school transportation, and risk management. Diving deeper than other school finance books, the authors explore the political framework within which schools must function, discuss the privatization of education and its effects on public schools, offer perspectives regarding education as an investment in human capital, and expertly explain complex financial and economic issues. This comprehensive text provides the tools to apply the many and varied fiscal concepts and practices that are essential for aspiring public school administrators who aim to provide responsible stewardship for their students. Special Features: "Definitional Boxes" and "Key Terms" throughout chapters enhance understanding of difficult concepts. Coverage of legal, political, and historical issues provides a broader context and more complex understanding of school finance. Offers in-depth exploration of business management of financial resources, including fiscal accounting, school facilities, school transportation, financing with debt, and the nuances of school budgeting techniques.

Preface Ch 1: The Nature And Theory Of The Public School Ch 2: Fundamental Rights And State School Finance Litigation Ch 3: The System And Public Schools Ch 4: Inequality Of Opportunity Ch 5: Education As An Investment In Human Capital Ch 6: The Politics Of School Finance Ch 7: Fiscal Capacity And Tax Effort In The Funding Of Public Schools Ch 8: Taxation For Public Schools Ch 9: The Federal Role In Financing Education Ch 10: Teacher Compensation Ch 11: Public Funding Of Private Schools: Charter Schools And Vouchers Ch 12: Education Production Functions: Whether Money Matters Ch 13: Analyzing Equity And Adequacy Of State School Finance Ch 14: State School Funding Methods Ch 15: Financial Accounting Ch 16: Financing School Facilities Ch 17: School Budget Development And Administration Ch 18: Risk Management, Student Transportation, And School Food Services

Kern Alexander is Excellence Professor of Educational Administration at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, USA. Richard G. Salmon is Professor Emeritus of Educational Leadership at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA. F. King Alexander is Professor in the College of Human Sciences and Education, Louisiana State University (LSU), USA.