Financing Schools and Educational Programs: Policy, Practice, and Politics [Paperback]

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 books 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.

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.

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 natl#$