I've felt the same way, but it's worth pointing out that this would be possible with low-tech, uncomplicated paper books.
A large school district could surely save a bundle, and improve the quality of its education besides, by paying a qualified individual to write a textbook just for them, then having it printed just for them. And they could give away the text to other interested districts if they wanted, saving the other districts even more money.
This has been true for decades. No internet, no computers or e-readers, and no fancy newfangled CC licenses would be required for such a plan.
Yet it mostly has not happened.
So there must be a reason. This infamous story by Richard Feynman suggests that it's a matter of an entrenched culture of laziness, lobbying, bribery, and in effect regulatory capture:
A large school district could surely save a bundle, and improve the quality of its education besides, by paying a qualified individual to write a textbook just for them, then having it printed just for them. And they could give away the text to other interested districts if they wanted, saving the other districts even more money.
This has been true for decades. No internet, no computers or e-readers, and no fancy newfangled CC licenses would be required for such a plan.
Yet it mostly has not happened.
So there must be a reason. This infamous story by Richard Feynman suggests that it's a matter of an entrenched culture of laziness, lobbying, bribery, and in effect regulatory capture:
http://www.textbookleague.org/103feyn.htm