Financing Schools and Educational Programs: Policy, Practice, and Politics

Al Ramirez writes on the subject of how the public schools in the United States are financed and how other funds are raised for educational programs in elementary and secondary schools. A context for public school finance is provided throughout the volume by grounding each topic in historical, policy, political, and common practice, so the work spans both the theoretical and practical aspects of the subject matter. The text is written primarily for graduate students in programs for education leadership, administration, policy studies, public administration, public finance and public accounting. The content will also serve as a resource for practitioners and education policy leaders, e.g., school board members, foundation program officers, legislators, and policy analysts at the local, state and national levels. Each chapter is structured so as to enhance the book’s value to pre-service students preparing for entry-level school administration positions as well as candidates for advanced degrees who need more research based theoretical content on school finance. The author recognizes that each state has its own unique funding approach and guides readers to state resources that supplement the books content.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 Dimensions of Education Finance Chapter 2 Historical Perspectives on Funding Chapter 3 Money and Learning Chapter 4 School Finance and the Courts Chapter 5 Equity and Adequacy Chapter 6 State Finance Systems Chapter 7 Alternative Funding Systems Chapter 8 Federal Funds Chapter 9 Employee Compensation Chapter 10 Revenue for Schools Chapter 11 Understanding Budgets Chapter 12 School Facilities Chapter 13 Securing Grant Funds Chapter 14 Future Trends in School Finance Index

About the Author :
Dr. Al Ramirez is a professor in the department of Leadership, Research and Foundations at the University of Colorado, Colorado Spring, whose experience includes positions as a teacher, counselor, principal, central office administrator and superintendent of schools. He has also held key education policy positions in the Nevada and Illinois state departments of education and served as Chief State School Officer in Iowa.

Review :
Dr. Ramirez provides an excellent framework for understanding school finance. More importantly, he wraps it in context. History, politics, economics, culture, environment, lawmakers, competition, and the court system all have tremendous influence on American schools and school finance. His book demonstrates the interdependent nature of society and school finance and why it can be a complicated and interesting topic of discussion. A brilliant, comprehensive school finance book that makes the complexities of educational policy and funding understandable for all levels of school administrators and policy makers. This textbook is focused on more than “adequacy” and “equity” and artfully asks students of school finance to evaluate the concept of “ fairness.” The depth and content of this textbook is a must for inclusion in the libraries of educational administrators and practitioners of school finance. Dr. Ramirez has written this book in a manner that promotes in-depth understanding of state funding finance formulas in relation to public policy and current research. School superintendents and business officials will find this book extremely helpful in explaining complicated state and local financial issues to their school board and community. Dr. Ramirez offers prospective school administrators as well as practicing policy makers a deep understanding of the theoretical and practical issues of public school finance in the United States. His deep experience as a school practitioner and an academic shines throughout the narrative, but most especially as he examines the future of school finance.