"As the U.S. struggles to regain its economic stability, we are well served by this important reminder of education's foundational role in securing our nation's strength and well-being. Money, indeed, matters and mirrors what we value. As the authors remind us, these values are all too often caught up in the struggle between self-preservation and the common good."--Deborah Collins, Associate Director of The Leadership Alliance, Brown University"Financing Public Schools is not a traditional school finance book. There is a great need for educators to understand the value of education as a public good and a necessary precursor to a vibrant democracy; this text goes well past taxation, budgeting, and finance formulae to include thoughtful analysis and discussion of the public value of education, modern policies, and state politics." --Julie Underwood, Professor, Educational Leadership & Policy Analysis, and Dean, School of Education, University of Wisconsin - Madison