ABSTRACT

This chapter examines one of the fastest growing and increasingly controversial forms of privatization in education-contracting out the management and operation of public schools to private companies called education management organizations (EMOs). The growth and prevalence of EMOs is occurring against the backdrop of a larger movement toward the privatization of education services. Many of these other forms of privatization have been examined in other chapters within this handbook. Proponents of EMOs claim that they will bring a much needed dose of entrepreneurial spirit and a competitive ethos to public education. Opponents worry that outsourcing to EMOs will result in already limited school resources being redirected for service, fees and/or profi ts for yet another layer of administration.