David_I_Backer
Associate professor of education policy studying ideology and finance.
NEW BOOK
As Public As Possible: Radical Finance for America's Public Schools | David Backer
As Public As Possible: Radical Finance for America's Public Schools | David Backer
Education expert David I. Backer argues for radically expanding the "public" in public schools. Discover a concrete set of policies to provide a truly public education for all, regardless of wealth and race.
(Review) Jacobin
(Review) Jacobin
Far too many US public schools suffer from a lack of adequate funding. Solving the problem will require ending public education’s dependence on local property taxes, a funding mechanism that heavily reproduces inequality.
(Review) The Crow's Nest
(Review) The Crow's Nest
Reviewing David Backer's "As Public As Possible: Radical Finance for America's Public Schools."
Upcoming Book Talks/Events
Philadelphia - March 26 @ 12pm EST (online)
Philadelphia - March 26 @ 12pm EST (online)
Los Angeles, April 11th, 2026 @ 11am EST (in person)
Los Angeles, April 11th, 2026 @ 11am EST (in person)
Information provided through this form will help us to plan and secure the event. Event will take place at the UTLA Building, 3303 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA. Specific directions and logistics will be sent the week of the event.
Robin DG Kelley Lecture Sign Up
Robin DG Kelley Lecture Sign Up
SFS Requests
SFS Request Form
SFS Request Form
Hi! If you're interested in requesting a school/district analysis, please sign up here and School Finance Socialist will be in touch. All information will remain confidential.
Radio Interviews
As Public as Possible | WHMP 101.5 / 1400 AM
As Public as Possible | WHMP 101.5 / 1400 AM
2.27 As Public as Possible Your State U w/ Max Page & Prof & Author David Backer “As Public as Possible: Radical Finance for America’s Schools” Buz - The Massachusetts Government’s Response To ICE Buz & Andy On Trump & USA Hockey Umass Asst Prof & Research Astronomer Jorge Zavala – Missing Link In Galaxy Evolution Art Beat: Amanda Herman Of The Umass Contemporary Arts Museum – 50 Year Anniv – w/Sally Curcio & Alana Casey
Education Today - January 28, 2026 | KPFA
Education Today - January 28, 2026 | KPFA
Professor David Backer looks at educational policy and finance from within a Marxist perspective, and he leads a group within the American Education Research Association Education Today is a radio show hosted by Kitty Kelly Epstein and Jaron Epstein that airs every week at 2:30.
Podcast Interviews
Varn Vlog Interview: David I. Backer on Education, Bonds, and the Funding of Social Goods
Varn Vlog Interview: David I. Backer on Education, Bonds, and the Funding of Social Goods
Why is the way we fund schools so "private"—and what would happen if we made it radically public?In this episode, we’re joined by Professor David I. Backer t...
Behind the News, 2/12/26 - Behind the News with Doug Henwood - Apple Podcasts
Podcast
·
Podcast
Behind the News, 2/12/26 - Behind the News with Doug Henwood - Apple Podcasts
Podcast Episode · Behind the News with Doug Henwood · February 12 · 53m
FreshEd
FreshEd
Today we look at the intersection of school financing and the climate emergency. Should green infrastructure updates in schools be financed primarily through grants or loans?
Left Anchor
Left Anchor
Nothing Never Happens
Podcast
·
Podcast
Nothing Never Happens
Cut, Fire, Close - Have You Heard
Podcast
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Podcast
Cut, Fire, Close - Have You Heard
Human Restoration Project
Human Restoration Project
Power in Numbers - Have You Heard
Power in Numbers - Have You Heard
Money on the Left
Money on the Left
Thinking in the Midst
Thinking in the Midst
NEPC Talks Education
NEPC Talks Education
The Referenda
Podcast
·
Podcast
The Referenda
Trade Movies #024 Interview
Podcast
·
Podcast
Trade Movies #024 Interview
Critical Teaching & Learning Forum
Podcast
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Podcast
Critical Teaching & Learning Forum
General Audience Writing
Paying for It | BAFFLER
Paying for It | BAFFLER
Should Zohran Mamdani become the next mayor of New York City, he will be restricted by the municipal bond market.
Democratic Finance for Mamdani's Budget Dance
Democratic Finance for Mamdani's Budget Dance
By David I. BackerI’m a professor of education policy and teach classes on public finance. I make it my business to know the government’s business, and I live in Brooklyn, so I’ve been paying close…
We need an elected school board in New York City. Here’s why. - The New Press
We need an elected school board in New York City. Here’s why. - The New Press
By Dave Backer, author of As Public as Possible Organizers in New York City have been calling for an elected school […]
Opinion: To fix school funding, Chicago must rethink pension investing
Opinion: To fix school funding, Chicago must rethink pension investing
Research Publications
Critical School Finance
Critical School Finance
Seton Hall University Profile
Seton Hall University Profile
David Backer is an Associate Professor of Education Policy at the College of Human Development, Culture and Media at Seton Hall University.
Publications List
Publications List
Weak Link Policies | Workplace: A Journal for Academic Labor
Weak Link Policies | Workplace: A Journal for Academic Labor
Toxic Finance: Underinvestment in Philly's Schools
Toxic Finance: Underinvestment in Philly's Schools
In the Interest of Race: Discrimination, Interest Rates, and the School Bond Market
In the Interest of Race: Discrimination, Interest Rates, and the School Bond Market
Follow!
Bluesky
Bluesky
associate prof of education policy. former high school teacher. education, ideology, policy, finance, climate, socialism. he/him. https://linktr.ee/davidibacker
Healthy School Finance Worksheet - Google Sheets
Healthy School Finance Worksheet - Google Sheets
Back to School Finance Training
Back to School Finance Training
So many educational justice problems come down to money. Why is the district closing schools? Firing teachers and paras and staff? Shuttering programs? Budge...
Schooling in Socialist America Newsletter
Schooling in Socialist America Newsletter
School Finance Socialist on TikTok
School Finance Socialist on TikTok
School Budget BS Subreddit - AMA there!
School Budget BS Subreddit - AMA there!
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