Diverse economic, social, and legal concerns have brought renewed attention to the problem of financing public schools. The primary economic concern is preparing students to compete successfully in the international marketplace. The change in demographics of the United States also is a major social concern for education. Legal concerns focus on school financing systems that are equitable to students and taxpayers, and on providing adequate school funding. Despite complex state school-financing formulas, questions remain about what to fund, spending levels, revenue sources, and support from different levels of government. The answers to funding questions must be reached within the context of how schools function as well as the demographic, political, economic, social, and legal factors influencing school funding. This book is intended to help both educators and the general public better understand public school finance. Chapter topics include the context for public school finance, demographics and education, school finance policy goals and outcomes, state school finance equalization systems, the courts and school finance, taxation and sources of revenue for schools, and issues in public school finance. References accompany each chapter. (JPT)