ABSTRACT

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.

chapter 1|17 pages

The Nature and Theory of the Public School

chapter 3|24 pages

The System and Public Schools

chapter 4|28 pages

Equality of Opportunity: The Rationale

chapter 6|27 pages

The Politics of School Finance

chapter 8|36 pages

Taxation for Public Schools

chapter 9|38 pages

The Federal Role in Financing Education

chapter 10|40 pages

Teacher Compensation

chapter 14|22 pages

State School Funding Methods

chapter 15|16 pages

Financial Accounting

chapter 16|26 pages

Financing School Facilities

chapter 17|13 pages

School Budget Development and Administration