Provides an in-depth assessment of the fiscal health of cities throughout the U.S. Analyzes patterns of fiscal health using a unique and most accurate data source, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) survey Offers a solid basis of empirical evidence to help practitioners better understand the environment in which they are functioning and the policy tools they need to help advocate for change Covers trends and presents quantitative case studies

This book explores the issue of international and comparative public administration and its role in the (Master of Public Administration) MPA program. The contents provide guidance for readers on how to effectively incorporate the perspectives into the classroom. Public administration is becoming an increasingly global field. Not only are scholars working across borders, but public service organizations that MPA graduates are extended to leave are increasingly required to work across multiple countries and cultures. A growing demographic within all MPA programs in the United States is that of international student, many of whom intend to return to their countries and become public servants after graduation. Historically, however, MPA programs have taken a national perspective to their curriculum, predominately focusing on administration within their own country. The national perspective has led to challenges for students as they begin their careers, particularly for students interested in working for the federal government, international nonprofits, and governments outside of the home countries. An international perspective increases cultural competency in our organizations and overall appreciation of diversity. This edited volume will be of great interest to upper-level students, academics, and researchers in public administration, public policy and education. The chapters in this book were originally published in Journal of Public Affairs Education.

This compelling book explores the dimensions of social equity by asking the leading equity scholars to reflect on the responsibility for social equity and how equity can be achieved. Social equity is concerned with fairness in the development and administration of public policies. Despite its importance, there has always been an uneasiness in how equity is discussed and obtained. While we acknowledge that social equity is important, we have struggled in our efforts to achieve it. The inequities in our society and the lack of a concerted effort to address the problems have only become prominent due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Black Lives Matter Movement. Each of the chapters in this volume pay particular attention to how social equity can be effectively incorporated into the classroom. This book is a rare opportunity to shape the conversation about social equity and provide a venue for dialogue around the questions of what, why, and how we teach about equity. This book is an insightful resource for researchers and scholars of Politics and Public Administration. The chapters in this book were originally published in the Journal of Public Affairs Education.

This book explores the issue and struggle of work-life balance in higher education. It provides a rare opportunity to shape the conversation surrounding work-life balance in academia and provide a venue for dialogue around balance that had previously been forced into secret. The challenges that surround work-life balance are something that we must all confront, but they are also something that is rarely discussed within academia. Faculty and graduate students face increasing demands to publish, while also being expected to effectively teach and engage in service to both the university and the community. The demands of an academic career have been cited as a reason for faculty and students to leave the academy, but they have also been tied with rising rates of depression throughout the community. Concerns about balance have led to challenges in recruiting diverse students and faculty for academic careers. Each chapter explores how faculty and graduate students have sought and found balance. The research included in this book is by leading scholars who discuss the challenge for academia to pay attention to the cultures and policies that may improve, or hinder, work-life balance. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Journal of Public Affairs Education.

Many universities offer the Master of Public Administration (MPA) or other public affairs degree, which includes at least one course in public budgeting or public financial management. The faculty who teach these courses can however sometimes struggle to cover the breadth of material required and to fully engage students in what can be a technical subject. Teaching Public Budgeting and Finance: A Practical Guide addresses this challenge by sharing hands-on classroom expertise from leading scholars and creative instructors in the field. Drawing on their extensive experiences with teaching, researching, and engaging in service, each contributor reflects on how their area of expertise can be taught most effectively, providing a discussion of student learning outcomes, pedagogical approaches, relevant resources, and appropriate course assignments. While no one book can provide a final say on classroom instruction, this first-of-its kind primer on teaching public budgeting and financial management courses is a detailed, indispensable guide for all faculty looking to improve the learning experience of students in the classroom. Teaching Public Budgeting and Finance: A Practical Guide is required reading for early career faculty as they prepare to teach the course for what may be the first time, as well as for more senior faculty looking to update their course, complement their own teaching strengths, or teaching the course for the first time in several years.

Many universities offer the Master of Public Administration (MPA) or other public affairs degree, which includes at least one course in public budgeting or public financial management. The faculty who teach these courses can however sometimes struggle to cover the breadth of material required and to fully engage students in what can be a technical subject. Teaching Public Budgeting and Finance: A Practical Guide addresses this challenge by sharing hands-on classroom expertise from leading scholars and creative instructors in the field. Drawing on their extensive experiences with teaching, researching, and engaging in service, each contributor reflects on how their area of expertise can be taught most effectively, providing a discussion of student learning outcomes, pedagogical approaches, relevant resources, and appropriate course assignments. While no one book can provide a final say on classroom instruction, this first-of-its kind primer on teaching public budgeting and financial management courses is a detailed, indispensable guide for all faculty looking to improve the learning experience of students in the classroom. Teaching Public Budgeting and Finance: A Practical Guide is required reading for early career faculty as they prepare to teach the course for what may be the first time, as well as for more senior faculty looking to update their course, complement their own teaching strengths, or teaching the course for the first time in several years.

Provides an in-depth assessment of the fiscal health of cities throughout the U.S. Analyzes patterns of fiscal health using a unique and most accurate data source, the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) survey Offers a solid basis of empirical evidence to help practitioners better understand the environment in which they are functioning and the policy tools they need to help advocate for change Covers trends and presents quantitative case studies