Although the District of Columbia school board requested additional study on student performance in schools where private firms currently have contracts, the superintendent explains his rationale for requesting private management for some 10 to 15 schools. (MLF)

Experiences of a Michigan school district provide a case study for examining the political, economic, and community-relations issues embedded in a decision to privatize. Support can be achieved only if all parties feel they were given adequate attention during deliberations on the issue. (MLF)

A survey asked a national random sample of 1,500 school board presidents and the executives of all 1,300 local chambers of commerce for their opinions on charter schools, privatization, and vouchers. Board presidents are likely to support the traditional education establishment. Chamber executives tend to support free-market initiatives for…

Describes Wall Street's growing interest in private education companies. Discusses the parallels between the emerging education industry of today and the fledgling health care industry of the 1970s. The acronym EMO (education management organization) is used to categorize companies that manage entire schools. Describes the niches created by the…

Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, is the site of conflict between the teacher union and the school board. The board has hired Alternative Public Schools, Inc. to manage Turner Elementary School and has given the company permission to hire a new staff at Turner. State legislation may kill the union's court case. (MLF)

Reviews seven books that deal with school choice. Among the topics covered are the history of school choice, Catholic schools, and the proliferation of choice programs and the controversy surrounding them. Information on ordering the books is provided. (MLF)

Chester Upland School District, which finished last out of 501 systems in Pennsylvania, is a guinea pig for the private management of public education. Managing 9 of Chester's 10 schools, Edison Schools and its subsidiary Edison/Learn Now is banking on turning around the district with its longer class day, structured curriculum teacher training,…

Offers strategies for contracting out school services: (1) talk with employees; (2) conduct needs assessment; (3) specify needs and expectations in writing; (4) beware of state laws; (5) investigate the contracting company; and (6) devise a backup plan. (LMI)

Describes the arrangements in Mount Clemens, Michigan, and Boston, Massachusetts, with the Edison Project. In this public-private partnership, Edison will be responsible for curriculum, facilities management, professional development, personnel, and food service. Cites other school districts considering having Edison schools. A sidebar summarizes…

Public schools that contract with someone outside to offer an instructional program need to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) to potential providers. This document details the type of service desired and invites individuals or companies to submit bids or proposals for consideration. Explains the key components of an RFP. (MLF)

Examines how three school districts handled privatization of school services, such as transportation, food service, and custodial. Contracting out may promote efficiency but will probably come with political heat. (LMI)

Argues that contracting with private providers to educate students should be an option for school boards. Cites results from two surveys regarding whether school boards operated under powers enumerated in state law or under "broad powers" that gave boards more latitude in pursuit of defined goals. (MLF)

School boards considering contracting with a for-profit company should study the policy pitfalls that privatization might bring in the areas of personnel, finance, technology, program evaluation, negotiated contract waivers, program expansion, and student achievement. (MLF)

Proponents of charter schools hope to break the logjam that has stymied school reform. Some school districts issue charters to groups of interested teachers, parents, or community members and hold them accountable for administering a school and achieving specific student goals. However, charter schools may fail to deliver high-quality programs or…

The growing field of profit-making public-school management represents a way to begin school reform and save money. Educational Alternatives, Inc. has an agreement to manage eight elementary schools and one middle school in Baltimore, Maryland; and Whittle Communications, Inc. plans to seek contracts to manage existing public school programs. (MLF)