Paul, Three that I have are the Handbook of Dimensional Measurement (Farago & Curtis), SME's old Handbook of Dimensional Metrology; and Fundamentals of Dimensional Metrology (Dotson). The first and last might be OK, at least my copy of the SME book is too old and intended more for industry than machinists starting out.
The Dotson book is the one I'd suggest, for two reasons. First, it has lots of illustrations and covers the gamut of measuring instruments with a few notes on things like statistical sampling and GD&T along the way. Second, textbooks cost too much for students. The current edition is the 6th, but the 5th edition (much cheaper) should be good enough and there is a widely available (and poorly printed) India version for a bit over $20 if a student is really strapped for cash.
The main student complaint is that Dotson's end of chapter questions are too hard and not fully answered within the book itself. My thought it is, well, cry me a river. Show some initiative and Google for more info if you can't answer a question. Alternatively, you could supply your class with your own pertinent questions.
There are at least a dozen other metrology texts and handbooks out there. But most are over $100, don't have enough information on actual measuring instruments, etc. Someone else may know of something all-around better, though.
I don't know of any reasonably clear, reasonable-length, and reasonably-priced book that adequately covers practical measurement in all its aspects (linear dimensions, angles, surface finish, etc.); and statistical sampling and SPC; and interpretation of drawings and models (GD&T).