Digital solution would help cut cost of texbooks Times Herald-Record

15.06.10

A new law that will squeal college students how much their books cost in advance, the subject of a story in the Times Herald-Recount Monday, is good news of a sort. Better yet would be a way to keep down such expenses so that students do not start modifying their path choices based on the costs of materials.

The federal law, effective July 1, requires colleges to afford the kind of information we take for granted when making other purchases. Before signing up for the course, students will know perfectly what the books and materials will cost and get a head start on the sticker shock.

Those costs are part of a continuing confrontation, one with points on the one hand, the other hand, and so many other hands that is fits the old joke about economists — they never have enough hands to create their points.

A survey several years ago estimated that students were then spending about $900 a year on such books, and prices have gone up annually. Protests have been degree muted by the tendency to think of these costs as another line item in the college budget, something that already contains costs for education and fees that have gone up even higher and more rapidly.

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