The House of Representatives requested that the Health, Education, and Human Services Division (HEHS) examine privatization of child support enforcement programs in the United States. HEHS was to determine: (1) advantages and disadvantages of privatization, and the extent of these programs currently; (2) terms of contracts; (3) legalities of…

This collection of essays builds a case against those who see children as customers or workers and those who want to turn learning into a business. Following an introduction, The 500-Pound Gorilla by Alfie Kohn, section 1, Commercialism in Schools, contains: (1) Buy Me! Buy Me! (Alex Molnar and Joseph A. Reaves); (2) Commercialism in U.S. Schools…

The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) are among the most powerful interest groups in the nation, affecting the way public policy is made. They are the primary political opponents of all forms of privatization, and overwhelmingly support Democrat candidates for public office. Chapter 1 is an…

This paper presents findings from a case study of a single charter school operated by Edison Schools, Inc. (The particular school remains anonymous.) The study, grounded on the assumption that privatization improves efficiency, was done to document the relationship between the theory and practice of school privatization. The study relied on…

This book explores the connections between infrastructure reform and poverty alleviation in Latin America based on a detailed analysis of the effects of a decade of reforms. The book demonstrates that because the access to, and affordability of, basic services is still a major problem, infrastructure investment will be a core component of poverty…

This report details the seven categories tracked by the Center for the Analysis of Commercialism in Education (CACE) between 1990 and 1999-2000: sponsorship of programs and activities, exclusive agreements, incentive programs, appropriation of space, sponsored educational materials, electronic marketing, and privatization. The 1999-2000 report…

Summarizes Meira Levinson's argument that parental choice by and large reduces autonomy and, therefore, ultimately reduces the liberty of each succeeding generation. Recommends that all public educators read this book to grasp the magnitude of the potential effects that privatization of education may have on liberty and choice of future…

Beginning in the late 1970s, state governments slowly, but steadily decreased the level of support for higher education (privatization), as illustrated in the example of Montana. As state support declined, student tuition rose. At the same time, the rationale for higher education changed from public to private benefit. A public policy issue of…

Examines some of the rationales for financial diversification and partial privatization of state universities in Kenya and the different manifestations of market-driven approaches to university education. Explores whether the market model can address increased demand while maintaining educational quality. (EV)

Asserts that the interdependence that characterizes the contemporary world is undermined by the commercialization and privatization pervading U.S. society with consumerist pressures reaching even into school programs, but that terrorism has dramatically underlined global interdependence and public responsibilities. Explores what makes an adequate…

Discusses postplacement adoption service contracts between East Sussex Social Services and the Post-Adoption Centre (PAC). Describes how PAC originally provided subscription services to local authorities, but when limitations of the subscription service were recognized, a collaborative service with more local authority was developed. (AJH)

The Cobb County (Georgia) School District, which transports 61,000 students to 88 schools on 763 buses daily, avidly studied privatization possibilities. Since the bus fleet is relatively new and drivers' wages compare favorably with metropolitan Atlanta's, the district concluded it could transport students better and more cheaply. A sidebar lists…

Explores the financial and administrative autonomy granted to selected colleges in Punjab, Pakistan. Analyzes the rationale and organizational structure of the privatization scheme. Describes a pilot study of two autonomous colleges, focusing on participants' reactions to implementation problems. Autonomy is not working as intended, and negative…

Britain's decision to commercialize the Agricultural Development and Advisory Service has implications for extension programs in other countries. If programs now offered were commercialized, extension would no longer be an agency responsive to the public interest as a whole but would be driven by interests of paying clients. (JOW)

Whittle Communications, Inc. plans to launch a nationwide chain of private, for-profit schools and sell its proprietary educational products, instructional technology, and management services to school boards. Whittle schools will enroll children aged 3 months to 18 years, schedule hours coinciding with parents' working days, and operate…