Financing Education in a Climate of Change

by Vern Brimley Jr., Deborah A. Verstegen, Rulon R Garfield

This new edition of the classic text in the field of school finance retains the practical tone and superior presentation that made the previous editions best sellers, while presenting the most up-to-date information and material available on key subjects. Here readers get a firm, balanced look of all facets of financing education, clarified and reinforced through numerous clear tables, figures, and key concept lists, and a tone and presentation that illustrates even the most difficult concepts. The new Twelfth Edition of "Financing Education in a Climate of Change" includes information on hot button topics such as the economics of education, recent court decisions 50-state comparison tables, the Common Core State Standards, and the ongoing debate about school vouchers, tax credits, and charter schools.

Genres: Education

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly-written text with confusing explanations. The description of economics in the early chapters is too simplistic while the mathematical models in the later chapters are overly complicated without adequate supporting text. I much prefer Fritts' Essentials of Illinois School Finance.

[Erin McDonnell-Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

I "read" this for my doctorate class on Finance. Needless to say, the summaries at the end of the text were what I read as my professor did not utilize the text book.

[Jeni Enjaian · Rating 3 out of 5]

As always, I find it difficult to evaluate textbooks. I think this one meets a minimum standard for usefulness although the arrangement of information in the chapters could use some adjustment. Brimley could also do with someone to go through and see how many times he repeated himself or perhaps someone to create a more thorough index.
That being said, I did not suffer too much while reading this book. :)

[Jordan Fernandez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book for graduate school and rated it according to other educational texts.

I found very little useful information within this textbook. I’m not sure if it was the textbook’s “fault” or my professor’s, but in my opinion, this is more of a history textbook than one on modern education policies and strategies. I was not able to use it to complete most of my quizzes or assignments, and even the index is lacking.

Ultimately, I mostly wish I had rented this book instead of buying it!

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this for a class. I am not a finance major; this course was to give a taste of education finance. I think this book was written for someone that actually understands finance. It was really hard to read and I just had to skip through a lot of it just so I could get a gist of it.

[Zhijing Jin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful book to help educators and general public get a better idea of how much education costs, and what trade-off we're making in our society to finance education. Together with this book I understand the other Price of admission better.

[Freya · Rating 3 out of 5]

In light of the election and ESSA, this edition is dated. Valuable information on the history of school finance.

[Patti Irwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for School Business and Finance course for my graduate program. Can't say I loved it, but I did my homework. I suppose some people would find it fascinating, but not me.

[Ashley]

Read for class…good background info about school finances in general.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read because I had to not because I wanted to!

[Kirstin Bittel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for a finance class. Easy to follow with practical examples.

[Anthony A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This textbook was required reading for my master's degree in Educational Leadership. I found the book to be chock full of good information. I read some of the other reviews for this book, but since I don't have any other textbook to use as a comparison. I can only relate my own experiences in using the book. I have only one chief complaint and its a minor one. As our professor assigned the reading of each chapter, she had us type up and turn in the definitions of each of the "Key Concepts" listed at the very beginning of each chapter. Some of these Key Concepts were either not to be found in the chapter or they were located in other chapters. When the class asked the professor about this, she speculated that when the book was revised, the authors did not revise the "Key Concept" lists for each chapter.

Otherwise, I learned a LOT from the class and from this book.

[Tatiana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe I read a whole textbook on FINANCE.

... On the rating, I didn't actually LOVE it (because of the subject), but it deserves 5 stars since it was very thorough, well written and researched.

However, always keep in mind to evaluate the author's take on things and come up with your own opinions on the matter.

[Christina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly-written text with confusing explanations. The description of economics in the early chapters is too simplistic while the mathematical models in the later chapters are overly complicated without adequate supporting text. I much prefer Fritts' Essentials of Illinois School Finance.

[Abbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Riveting. I'm forever changed. In all seriousness, it wasn't as bad as it could have been and the concepts are effectively reinforced throughout so it is engrained by the end.

[Tom Denker · Rating 2 out of 5]

Required reading for grad school. Interesting, but probably wouldn't suggest anyone not taking an educational finance course to read it.