Education Maintenance Organisations and the Privatisation of Public Education: A Cross National Comparison of the USA and the UK.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Education Maintenance Organisations and the Privatisation of Public Education: A Cross National Comparison of the USA and the UK.
Language: English
Authors: Fitz, John, Beers, Bryan
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 29
Publication Date: 2001
Document Type: Information Analyses
Speeches/Meeting Papers
Descriptors: Accountability, Charter Schools, Comparative Education, Contracts, Curriculum Problems, Elementary Secondary Education, Financial Support, Foreign Countries, Governance, Private Education, Privatization, Public Schools, School Business Relationship, Taxes, Teacher Associations
Geographic Terms: United Kingdom, United States
Abstract: Although making profits from public education is not new, what is new is the recent development of corporate interest in taking over the organization and management of public education specifically for profit-making purposes. The study reported in this paper focuses on the intrusion of "big business" into an educational arena that historically has been the preserve of elected representatives and professional educational administrators, the organization of local education authorities, and schools. The study explores the distinctive mode of privatization of education that takes the form of big business in general, and education maintenance organizations (EMOs) in particular, taking over the operation of public education, both at area and school levels. It considers the processes of privatization of public education and the conditions that have given rise to its prominence, in policy terms, in the United States and the United Kingdom. The study outlines the antecedents of EMO interest in public education. Within the mode of privatization, the most prominent are vouchers, contracting out, public-private partnerships, takeovers, tax credits, and private finance initiatives. This examination includes as well a detailed description of the history, role, purposes, and the success record of Edison Schools. (Contains 56 references.) (DFR)
Entry Date: 2001
Accession Number: ED452609
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Although making profits from public education is not new, what is new is the recent development of corporate interest in taking over the organization and management of public education specifically for profit-making purposes. The study reported in this paper focuses on the intrusion of "big business" into an educational arena that historically has been the preserve of elected representatives and professional educational administrators, the organization of local education authorities, and schools. The study explores the distinctive mode of privatization of education that takes the form of big business in general, and education maintenance organizations (EMOs) in particular, taking over the operation of public education, both at area and school levels. It considers the processes of privatization of public education and the conditions that have given rise to its prominence, in policy terms, in the United States and the United Kingdom. The study outlines the antecedents of EMO interest in public education. Within the mode of privatization, the most prominent are vouchers, contracting out, public-private partnerships, takeovers, tax credits, and private finance initiatives. This examination includes as well a detailed description of the history, role, purposes, and the success record of Edison Schools. (Contains 56 references.) (DFR)