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.