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Samuel Alexander

Biography

Kern Alexander’s current research interests include education finance and law. He has worked extensively as an expert in state school finance litigation. His work has been cited in law reviews, law journals, and appellate court decisions.

He is the Editor of the Journal of Education Finance, distributed by the University of Illinois Press and Project MUSE, Johns Hopkins University Press.

Alexander has an ongoing research interest in elementary, secondary, and in higher education administration, finance, and law.

Key Professional Appointments

  • Professor, Education Policy, Organization and Leadership, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Awards, Honors, Associations

Dr. Samuel Robinson Award, Kentucky Board of Education, 2012

NEFA Lifetime Achievement Award, National Education Finance Academy, 2011

Publications

Alexander, K., Alexander, M. D., & Alexander, F. K. (2022). The Law of Schools, Students and Teachers in a Nutshell. (7 ed.) (Nutshells). West Academic Publishing.

Alexander, K., Alexander, K. W., & Alexander, M. D. (2020). University Law. West Academic Publishing.

Alexander, K., & Alexander, M. D. (2019). American Public School Law. (9 ed.) (Higher Education Coursebook). West Academic Publishing.

Alexander, K., & Alexander, M. D. (2018). The Law of Schools, Students and Teachers in a Nutshell. (6 ed.) (Nutshells). West Academic Publishing.

Alexander, K. W., & Alexander, K. (2016). Higher Education Law: Policy and Perspectives. (2 ed.) Routledge.  link >

Alexander, K., & Alexander, M. D. (2015). The Law of Schools, Students and Teachers in a Nutshell. (5 ed.) West Academic Publishing.

Alexander, K., Salmon, R. G., & Alexander, F. K. (2014). Financing public schools: Theory, policy, and practice. Taylor and Francis.  link >

Alexander, K., & Alexander, M. D. (2012). American Public School Law. (8 ed.) Wadsworth.

Alexander, K. (2012). Asymmetric Information, Parental Choice, Vouchers, Charter Schools and Stiglitz. Journal of Education Finance, 38(2), 170-176.

Alexander, K. W., & Alexander, K. (2010). Higher Education Law: Policy and Perspectives. (1 ed.) Routledge.  link >

Alexander, K., & Alexander, M. D. (2009). American Public School Law. (7 ed.) Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

Alexander, K., & Alexander, M. D. (2009). The Law of Schools, Students and Teachers in a Nutshell. (4 ed.) Thomson/West.

Alexander, K. (2008). Education and Economic Growth: Investment and Distribution of Financial Resources. Linton Atlantic Books, Ltd.

Alexander, K. (2008). Public Financing of Religious Schools: Justice Clarence Thomas's 'Bigotry Thesis'. Journal of Education Finance, 34(2), 156-178.

Alexander, K., & Salmon, R. G. (2007). Warranting Failure: The "System" That Breeds Poverty and Starves Public Schools. Journal of Education Finance, 33(2), 203-221.

Alexander, K., & Wall, A. (2006). Adequate Funding of Education Programs for At-Risk Children: An Econometric Application of Research-Based Cost Differentials. Journal of Education Finance, 31(3), 297-319.

Alexander, K., & Alexander, M. D. (2005). American Public School Law. (6 ed.) Thomson/West.

Alexander, K., & Hunter, R. C. (Eds.) (2004). Administering Special Education: In Pursuit of Dignity and Autonomy. (Advances in Educational Administration; Vol. 7). Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.  link >

Alexander, K., & Hunter, R. C. (2004). Preface. In K. Alexander, & R. C. Hunter (Eds.), Administering Special Education: In Pursuit of Dignity and Autonomy (pp. ix-x). (Advances in Educational Administration; Vol. 7). Emerald Group Publishing Ltd..  link >

Alexander, K., & Hunter, R. C. (2004). Rights Compromised: Special Education, Costs and Residual Funding. In K. Alexander, & R. C. Hunter (Eds.), Administering Special Education: In Pursuit of Dignity and Autonomy (pp. 1-12). (Advances in Educational Administration; Vol. 7). Emerald Group Publishing Ltd..  link >

Alexander, K., & Alexander, K. (2004). Vouchers and the privatization of American education: Justifying racial resegregation from Brown to Zelman. University of Illinois Law Review, 2004(5), 1131-1153.

Alexander, K. (2003). Preface. In R. C. Hunter, & F. Brown (Eds.), Challenges of Urban Education and Efficacy of School Reform (pp. xvii-xx). (Advances in Educational Administration; Vol. 6). Emerald Group Publishing Ltd..  link >

Alexander, K., & Alexander, M. D. (2003). The Law of Schools, Students and Teachers in a Nutshell. (3 ed.) Thomson/West.

Alexander, K. (2002). The Object of the University: Motives and Motivation. In F. K. Alexander, & K. Alexander (Eds.), The University: International Expectations (pp. 3-20). McGill-Queen's University Press.

Alexander, F. K., & Alexander, K. (Eds.) (2002). The University: International Expectations. McGill-Queen's University Press.

Alexander, K., & Alexander, M. D. (2001). American Public School Law. (5 ed.) West/Thomson Learning.

Alexander, K., & Alexander, M. D. (1998). American Public School Law. (4 ed.) Wadsworth Pub. Co.

Alexander, K. (1998). Money Matters: Commentary and Analyses. Journal of Education Finance, 24(2), 237-242.

Alexander, K. (1997). The Impact of Fiscal Inequity on At-Risk Schoolchildren in St. Louis (Testimony of Kern Alexander, March 12, 1996). The Journal of Negro Education, 66(3), 304-310.  link >

Alexander, K., & Salmon, R. G. (1995). Public School Finance. Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

Alexander, K., & Alexander, M. D. (1995). The Law of Schools, Students and Teachers in a Nutshell. (2 ed.) West Pub. Co.

Alexander, K., & Freitas, D. I. (1994). Foreword. Journal of Education Finance, 19(4).

Alexander, K. (1994). The Purpose of Education: Peace, Capitalism and Nationalism. Journal of Education Finance, 19(4), 17-28.

Alexander, K. (1992). Financing the Public Schools of the United States: A Perspective on Effort, Need, and Equity. Journal of Education Finance, 17(3), 122-144.

Alexander, K., & Williams, V. (1992). Foreword. Journal of Education Finance, 17(3), vi-ix.

Alexander, K., & Alexander, M. D. (1991). American Public School Law. (3 ed.) West Pub. Co.

Alexander, K. (1991). The Common School Ideal and the Limits of Legislative Authority: The Kentucky Case Symposium: Investing in Our Children's Future: School Finance Reform in the '90s. Harvard Journal on Legislation, 28(2), 341-366.

Alexander, K. (1990). Rural Education: Institutionalization of Disadvantage. Journal of Education Finance, 16(2), 121-129.

Alexander, K., Brock, J., Forgy, L., Melton, J., & Watson, S. (1989). Constitutional Intent: "System,'' "Common," and "Efficient" as Terms of Art. Journal of Education Finance, 15(2), 142-162.

Alexander, K., & Alexander, M. D. (1985). American Public School Law. (2 ed.) West Pub. Co.

Alexander, K., & Alexander, M. D. (1984). The Law of Schools, Students and Teachers in a Nutshell. (1 ed.) West Pub. Co.

Alexander, K. (1983). Adam Smith, Religion, and Tuition Tax Credits. Journal of Education Finance, 8(4), 528-536.

Alexander, K., & Shiver, L. (1983). Equalization Among Florida School Districts. Journal of Education Finance, 9(1), 53-62.

Johns, R. L., Morphet, E. L., & Alexander, K. (1983). The Economics and Financing of Education. (4 ed.) Prentice-Hall.

Alexander, K. (1982). Educational Fiscal Policy and Judicial Deference. Educational Administration Quarterly, 18(3), 131-149.  link >

Alexander, K. (1982). Legal Relationships: Student Teacher/University. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 53(6), 65-68.  link >

Alexander, K. (1981). The Potential of Substantive Due Process for School Finance Litigation. Journal of Education Finance, 6(4), 456-470.

Alexander, K. (1978). Administrative Prerogative: Restraints of Natural Justice on Student Discipline. Journal of Law & Education, 7(3), 331-358.

Alexander, K., & Williams, V. (1978). Judicial review of educational policy: The teachings of Tameside. British Journal of Educational Studies, 26(3), 224-233.  link >

Alexander, K. (1977). The Wealth Tax as an Alternative Revenue Source for Public Schools. Journal of Education Finance, 2(4), 451-480.

Alexander, K. (1976). The Value Of An Education. Journal of Education Finance, 1(4), 429-467.

Alexander, K., & Solomon, E. S. (1972). College and University Law. Michie Co.

Johns, R. L., Alexander, K., Jordan, K. F., & Project., N. E. F. (1972). Financing Education: Fiscal and Legal Alternatives. (Merrill's series for educational administration). Merrill.

Courses

EOL 546: Public School Finance (EOL 546) Study of financing public education systems in the United States; focuses on the social, economic, political, legal, and technical dimensions of developing school finance policy for federal, state, and local governments; relates theory and research in public school finance to administrative practice in budgeting and financial administration. Same as EPOL 542. 4 graduate hours. No professional credit.

EOL 547: Education Law (EOL 547) Examines the range of federal and state constitutional and statutory sources that apply to the constituents (pupils, parents, teachers, administrators, and board members) engaged in public schools. Emphasizes development of legal analytical skills. Same as EPOL 537. 4 graduate hours. No professional credit.

EOL 578: Higher Education Law (EOL 578) Provides graduate students with core knowledge of the law affecting the administration of colleges and universities. Students become versed in legal issues to enhance administrative effectiveness and to address legal issues that confront the administrator in the operation of an institution of higher education. Importantly, the course does not aspire to invest the student with legal knowledge sufficient to operate without advice of professional legal counsel.

EOL 589: Internship in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership (EOL 589) Same as EPOL 598. See EPOL 598.

EOL 590: Advanced Seminar (EOL 590) Open only to persons who have been admitted for doctoral study in the Department of Educational Organization and Leadership.

EPOL 537: Education Law (EPOL 537) Examines the range of federal and state constitutional and statutory sources that apply to the constituents (pupils, parents, teachers, administrators, and board members) engaged in public schools. Emphasizes development of legal analytical skills.

EPOL 542: Public School Finance (EPOL 542) Study of financing public education systems in the United States; focuses on the social, economic, political, legal, and technical dimensions of developing school finance policy for federal, state, and local governments; relates theory and research in public school finance to administrative practice in budgeting and financial administration.

EPOL 546: Law and School District Leader (EPOL 546) Advanced study of public school law, addressing legal and fiscal policy issues related to effective management of public school districts. In-depth analysis of federal and state statutes, with an emphasis on recent court decisions and legal trends; emphasizes development of legal analytical skills.

EPOL 559: Higher Education Law (EPOL 559) Provides graduate students with core knowledge of the law affecting the administration of colleges and universities. Students become versed in legal issues to enhance administrative effectiveness and to address legal issues that confront the administrator in the operation of an institution of higher education. Importantly, the course does not aspire to invest the student with legal knowledge sufficient to operate without advice of professional legal counsel.

EPOL 590: Advanced Graduate Seminar (EPOL 590) Seminar in educational policy studies; sections offered in the following fields: (a) history of education; (b) philosophy of education; (c) comparative education; (d) social foundations of education; (e) philosophy of educational research; and (f) historical methods in education.

ERAM 574: Education Law (ERAM 574) Examines the range of federal and state constitutional and statutory sources that apply to the constituents (pupils, parents, teachers, administrators, and board members) engaged in public schools. Emphasizes development of legal analytical skills.