This text presents the realities of school finance policy, issues, and applications to prepare educational leadership candidates for their future roles as school principals, superintendents, and other administrative positions. Authors William Owings and Leslie Kaplan provide guidance to help administrators understand the general finance and appropriation structure of federal, state, and local government as well as how to formulate and manage school budgets. They also go beyond coverage found in other texts by providing critical analysis and unique chapters on misconceptions about school finance, demographic issues, spending and student achievement, and future trends.