It is likely that most school districts will need to think through the possibilities of privatizing one or more functions. This book was written to help all concerned parties understand the privatization debate. No political or philosophical conclusions about the feasibility of privatization were made. Chapter 1 relates the experience of the Pinckney (Michigan) school district, and chapter 2 presents an overview of the history of privatization, the current debate, and the current options. Chapter 3 examines contracting out services and establishing an Education Management Organization (EMO). Areas of school-district operations that should receive detailed analysis are described in chapter 4, and the roles and responsibilities of various participants are discussed in chapter 5. Chapter 6 discusses the politics of implementation and strategies for conflict management. Steps for ensuring an effective contract are described in chapter 7. The final chapter examines social change and economic trends and how they will affect the future of privatization. Appendices contain a sample checklist, lists of contractual items and for-profit firms serving education, a glossary, and an index. (Contains 74 references.) (LMI)