Public Education as a Business; Real Costs and Accountability [Paperback]

Myron Lieberman (Author), Charlene K. Haar (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0810847191 | ISBN-13: 978-0810847194 | Publication Date: July 20, 2003

This book brings to light fascinating details about the real cost of public education--one of America's biggest industries. It demonstrates that government statistics on the costs of public education substantially understate the actual costs to taxpayers. The phasing in of new and more accurate reporting requirements by 2006 will help in determining the real cost of public education.

Controversy over the new reporting requirements will generate a high level of interest among policymakers, school board members, school administrators, professors of education, the media, and others interested in education.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The authors meticulously support each area with statistics. Highly recommended. (Choice )

Given the lively policy debates and litigation surrounding school finance, it is surprising that scholars have not done a better job of measuring the social cost of public elementary and secondary education. One can only hope that Lieberman and Haar's careful scholarship will stimulate further research in this area. (Education Next )

...the analysis in the book is straightforward and easy to follow..a book that educators should read.... (Nassp Bulletin )

...the financial issues the authors analyze are critically important to understand our public schools. (The Washington Times )

About the Author

Myron Lieberman is chairman of the Education Policy Institute, a research and policy organization devoted to market approaches to education and senior research scholar, Social Philosophy and Policy Center at Bowling Green State Unversity, Bowling Green, Ohio.

Charlene K. Haar is president of Education Policy Institute and research associate with the Social Philosophy and Policy Center, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: R&L Education (July 20, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810847191
• ISBN-13: 978-0810847194
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,119,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bloated and inefficient, December 14, 2003

By 

Eugene A Jewett "Eugene A Jewett" (Alexandria, Va. United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Public Education as a Business; Real Costs and Accountability (Paperback)

This book reveals that public education is a continuing scam masquerading as a cost effective benefit for the children of the body politic. It's yet another testament to the syndrome of hypocrisy and self serving behavior that typifies the leadership of the public education establishment. Be certain that it's not an indictment of the thousands of well-meaning teachers and workers, those whose dues are being pilfered for political purposes by corrupt cadres at the top; no. It is however another dagger thrust into the heart of the problem, the ceaseless dishonesty of entrenched elites.

These people have for too long formed an iron triangle with a vastly corrupted Democratic party establishment with its concommitant dependence on illegal teachers unions campaign contributions, and the lobbyists who serve their cause. As the numbers in this book (highlighted by forensic accounting) frame the case, the game is over, just not the battles. Like any corrupted elite these educational establishment grinches will continue to fight a rear guard action whose sole purpose will be to stretch out their reign of priviledge and neglect.

Because of the rise in the proliferation of information, made possible by the increases in power of the microchip (and the attendant reductions in costs) we can herald the day when students will once again be served by those who truly have their best interests in mind. But, power to the people never occurs without a fight and the courage of the few who rise up to fight that power.

A great book which should be read by every legislator and citizen. I know, wishful thinking, but isn't it refreshing to dream of the possible?