Privatization

Deron R. Boyles

Privatization represents a worldview that privileges individualism and promotes competition. It operates on the assumed validity of neoclassical economics and the presumption of “free markets.” For schools, privatization is seen in and represented by Channel One television in classrooms, advertisements on stadium scoreboards, soft drink vending machines in hallways, fast food franchises in cafeterias, and textbook covers handed out by teachers. This entry describes privatization in schools and discusses its impact on religious schools. Privatization is perhaps most clearly seen in initiatives to turn public schools into money-making enterprises. The Edison Project and Educational Alternatives, Inc. are examples of this sort of privatization initiative. Privatization is also seen when central offices expand staff responsibilities or hire “public” employees to develop “school-business partnerships” with private corporations. Privatization includes voucher initiatives, for-profit charter schools, and contracting for goods and services in schools. To be sure, these last examples are akin to the ...

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