ABSTRACT

Designed for aspiring school leaders, this text presents the realities of school finance policy and issues, as well as the tools for formulating and managing school budgets. In an era of dwindling fiscal support for public schools, increasing federal mandates, and additional local budget requirements, educational leaders must be able to articulate sound finance theory and application. The authors move beyond coverage found in other texts by providing critical analysis and unique chapters on misconceptions about school finance; fiscal capacity, fiscal effort, adequacy, and efficiency; demographic issues; and spending and student achievement. Examining local, state, and federal education spending, this text gives readers the foundation to understand school finance and knowledgeably educate colleagues, parents, and other stakeholders about its big-picture issues, facts, and trends. The new edition of American Public School Finance will help educational leaders at all stages of their careers become informed advocates for education finance practice and reform.

New in this edition:

  • Expanded coverage on school choice
  • Discussion of new standards and law
  • Updated exploration of student demographics and its impact on learning
  • Advanced pedagogical features such as connections to the latest Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL), Focus Questions, Case Studies, and Chapter Questions/Assignments
  • Complementary electronic resources designed to deepen and extend the topics in each chapter and to provide instructors with lecture slides and other teaching strategies.

chapter 1|31 pages

Misconceptions about School Finance

chapter 5|27 pages

Taxation Issues

chapter 6|30 pages

Fiscal Capacity and Fiscal Effort

chapter 7|28 pages

Equity, Adequacy, and Efficiency

chapter 8|16 pages

Structure of School Finance Systems

chapter 9|39 pages

Demographics and School Finance

chapter 10|25 pages

Budgeting

Applying Policy Values

chapter 11|26 pages

Spending and Student Achievement

chapter 12|30 pages

Critical and Emerging School Finance Issues