Newsflash: School Books Are Too Expensive
The Chronicle has done some investigative journalism (read: someone on the Chron editorial board just had his first kid go to college) and discovered that textbooks are pretty expensive these days.
Sticker shock will hit many college freshmen when they head to the bookstore this fall. With the average new text costing more than $100, the typical student can expect to spend more than $900 a year on books.
Savvy students can save money if they purchase used books at the campus store or online, check out local book swaps, consider international editions and sell when they’re done.
In June, the U.S. House of Representatives Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance began an investigation into the cost of college textbooks, its impact on students and ways to make them more affordable.
The investigation came in response to a General Accountability Office report last summer that showed textbook prices rose 6 percent per year on average between 1987 and 2004. That was twice the overall rate of inflation and almost as high as the 7 percent annual increase in college tuition and fees…
For most people, this is a pretty stale issue. Heck, even the Daily Cal has been on the forefront of covering this issue for quite some time now - and that’s saying something. It’d be nice if there was less talk, and more action, in saving students money in book stores.
The article does mention some websites to check out for cheaper books. It’s not very original, but it’s a good resource to have.
Our state super intendent of schools opposes efforts to combat rising textbook process, calling proposals expensive and beaurocratic, industry talking points. He is a Demcrat and running for reelection.
Comment by McMike — August 8, 2006 @ 3:49 pm
i personally think everyone deserves an education and not evryone has the money for it. now a days everything cost money. i understand that you need money to pay for the teachers, supplies, conveineince, and more but why so much. even books cost money. when your in middle school and high school youa lso pay fees, but forr damaged books, or sometimes if you do pay for the book its a small fee. when in college you pay alot of money to get there then to live somewhwere then to get books lap tops supplies and still you have to pay for yourself to live. now you need the money too, but hat happens to the people who don’t have enough money for this? Are they just forgotten about? Why can’t there be smaller charges, more funds, more scholarships, or just more opportunities to get in and pay back later? how about loans? what if someone comes for about a month and proves to you they have a great skill, are very organized and smart, or stays focused and can stay ahead? can you maybe provide them with a scholarship, loan, or some type of contractt or agreement? I feel very stronglyon the education price for youth and young adults.
Comment by stephanie — January 31, 2007 @ 5:23 pm