Describes a study to determine the extent of present and projected future levels of school counseling privatization and to determine if differences in privatization exist in reference to school district enrollment size. Of 300 Washington school districts surveyed, 20% contracted to outside counseling providers. Privatization was significantly more…

Concerned about the deadening effects of standardization imposed by monopolistic education bureaucracies, policymakers in many different countries endorse economic-style mechanisms of consumer choice and competition between autonomous providers as the key elements of "market-driven" education. The reasoning behind this approach is that market…

Provides a feminist critique of the literature on parental involvement and school choice. Two research studies demonstrate mothers' critical importance in their children's education at home and at school. Mothers normally invest more time and energy than fathers in child-rearing and school associations. Working-class boys' underachievement may…

This paper addresses the importance of a high quality preschool education for children living in poverty, the long-term effects of such an educational experience, the long-term economic benefits to the children enrolled and their families, and the potential impact of privatization on preschool services. The cost-effectiveness and cost-benefits of…

This article roughly retrospects the idea of school voucher program proposed by Milton Friedman, lately developed by Peacock, Wiseman and Jencks. The reasons like privatization in education, deterioration of public schooling and school choice promote this program. Then taking a simple look at the ramification of voucher program and its value…

Considers current and potential uses of libraries as National Technical Information Service (NTIS) access points, describes the library community's strengths and weaknesses, and suggests future trends. A proposal for using libraries as vehicles for broader access for current and potential NTIS users is outlined. (Contains 32 references.) (EAM)

In many countries the school choice agenda has promoted increased inter-school competition as a means of creating stronger incentives for state schools to raise measures of average pupil attainment. Privatization of the provision of schooling takes market-based reforms a stage further. We identify the factors that have increased governments'…

Since the state takeover, the Philadelphia school district has created a new governance model, in which for-profits, non-profits, and universities receive contracts to manage schools. Further, these and other organizations also receive contracts to provide a range of additional services. The shift to a public/private institutional structure,…

Critical to the success of initiatives to reform and restructure educational and community services to improve the lives of children is the way in which they are financed. This report explores the movement toward privatization through contracting in managing, financing, and delivering child and family social services and provides a conceptual…

Compares help older people give with patterns of help given by younger adults via analysis of interviews with married men and women. Suggests that older adults are less involved in helping kin and friends but volunteer more than younger adults and that gender is a significant and consistent predictor of caregiving. (CRR)

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)

Describes recent structural, curricular, and ideological changes in Czechoslovakian schools: closure of many business-operated vocational schools, declining vocational enrollment, localization of educational decision making, emergence of private and religious schools, church-state conflicts over ownership of school buildings, emphasis on…

Agricultural extension is grappling with concerns about the future role of the public sector. Public-private partnerships may combine the advantages of both sectors. However, privatization may also lead to commercialization and marginalization of small-scale farmers. (SK)

Presents a brief history of direct foreign investment in Cuba since 1982. This investment currently plays an important role in Cuba as a replacement to Soviet aid and as a means to earn foreign exchange. Tourism and mining are the preferred area for foreign investment because both of these sectors offer hard currency returns for Cuba. (20…

Compares trends toward privatization and marketization of public education in socialist mainland China and capitalist Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China. Discusses policy shifts on the mainland toward decentralization, diversified educational services, and reduced government funding, and Hong Kong's efforts to promote…