No kidding! The Star Telegram reports that there will some changes in the law regarding textbooks. The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 requires that publishers provide professors with detailed information about pricing and any alternatives in formats. Students will no longer have to buy CD’s and other materials formerly bundled with textbooks so you would have to buy them. Now they will all be separate items.

The changes are good but they don’t go far enough. Textbooks can run on average $800 to $1200 per student per semester. Are the almost mathematical predictable (two to three years and 12% on the average more expensive) upgrades to textbooks necessary? What are the profit margins? Are there any cozy deals between professors and book companies?

There is a lot more that can be done. We should as a nation be more supportive of education and those willing to take the time and effort to improve themselves rather than offering them up as casual sacrifices to publisher profits.

See this video on overpriced textbooks –

Stephanie Lewis commented on your post:

“James, I firmly believe in rental programs at schools.  My undergrad college had one such program.  My books were $12 a book with an option to buy.  To get your grades, you had to turn your books in or be charged full price.  They were on 1 year rotations for subjects in which the information changes frequently.   Others were on two-year rotations and the bulk were on 3 year rotations.  At the end of every semester, there would be a book sale to get rid of retired inventory ($1 a book).  Of course, that meant the school had to run its own bookstore and not outsource it to another company and have the storage and staff for its inventory and maintenance, but it was a bargain for me and saved me a boat load in student loan money.  Trust me, next to medical books, art history books are some of the most expensive.  California is currently transitioning all of its state schools to rental programs and has been for a few years.  I firmly believe in rental programs.  BTW, I went to my undergrad college from 1990-1994 and that rental price didn’t change.  Currently, they still only charge $17.50 a book.”