Privatization of Schools Research Paper

BACKGROUND

In the wake of declining SAT scores, the public sense that there is a decline in the quality of education, and the general agreement that schools need to be improved, privatization of schools is under consideration by many districts. Privatization, the provision of public services by the private sector, is being debated by educators in communities across the country as a possible solution. Some school systems are now managed by private companies while others contract out certain educational services.

BROWSE FOR BOOKS ON THE SHELF USING THESE CALL NUMBERS

338.973

371–371.01

379.13

LOOK UNDER THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS IN THE CATALOG (CARD OR COMPUTER)

School choice—United States

Privatization—United States

Education—United States—Aims and objectives

REFERENCE MATERIALS THAT MAY HELP (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

CQ Researcher, March 25, 1994.

Editorials on File, Facts on File.

Facts on File

Mintz, Jerry, ed. Handbook of Alternative Education, 1994.

PERIODICAL INDEXES TO SEARCH (BOOKS OR CD-ROMS)

EBSCO Magazine Article Summaries

InfoTrac

NewsBank and other newspaper indexes

Readers’ Guide to Periodical Literature

SIRS (Social Issues Resources Series)

WILSONDISC

ONLINE DATABASES TO SEARCH

Dialog

Internet
KEY WORDS AND DESCRIPTORS FOR PERIODICAL INDEX AND ONLINE SEARCHES

Public schools—privatization

Public schools—contracts and services

School choice—United States

School privatization

Public school administration—reorganization

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTACT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Educational Alternatives, Inc., 1300 Norwest Financial Center, 7900 Xerxes Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55431.

National Education Association, 1201 16th St., N.W., Washington, DC 20036.

Whittle Communications Ltd. Partnership, 333 W. Main St., Knoxville, TN 37902.

SUGGESTIONS FOR NARROWING THIS TOPIC

Present the case for (or against) the privatization of schools.

Research a school system that has opted for privatization; e.g., Baltimore, Hartford, Miami, Minneapolis.

SUGGESTIONS FOR RELATED TOPICS

School choice

School reform

Voucher plan

Whittle Corporation

This RESEARCH TOPIC GUIDE is intended to help the library user find information and materials on a particular topic in many sources throughout the library. Resources on this topic are not limited to those described and availability will depend upon the individual library. Feel free to ask a librarian for assistance.