Allan Odden

Allan Odden's newest book, Prostate Cancer Adventures, his first non-education book, provides an information rich as well as humorous read of his prostate cancer journey that included both surgery and radiation. The book has earned five star reviews from multiple readers as well as high marks from former U.S. Secretaries of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala and Tommy Thompson, and Janet Farrar Worthington, co-author of one of the country's top books on surviving prostate cancer.

In his professional life, Allan is an international expert on education policy with a focus on funding K-12 education. His school finance text, School Finance: A Policy Perspective, co-authored with Lawrence Picus is now in its sixth edition. His Improving Student Learning When Budgets Are Tight is a popular book on how school districts can strategically allocate current and new resources to programs that research shows boosts student learning. He has helped policymakers in over 35 states make their education funding structures more adequate and equitable, and can take credit for billions of additional dollars flowing to property poor districts and students from low income and non-English speaking backgrounds.