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Private-Sector School Management

Since the 1990s, some low-performing public schools and districts have looked to private-sector management in an effort to improve their students’ academic achievement. RAND research includes studies on the effectiveness of for-profit schools and districts—that is, those that are run by education management organizations—particularly in relation to traditionally managed public schools.

Commentary
How to Navigate Public-Private Partnerships in Higher Ed
Universities are partnering with private companies that have the resources to help them compete in the online learning market and maximize student enrollment. Do their different missions—providing high-quality education and making a profit—dilute the quality of the courses?
May 26, 2017
Report
Initiatives to Improve Quality of Education in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Administration, School Monitoring, Private School Policies, and Teacher Training (Kurdish-language version)
RAND supported the Kurdistan Regional Government in its aims to restructure its Ministry of Education, develop plans for a school quality assurance system, review support of private schools, and assess the content and quality of in-service training.
May 13, 2016
Report
Initiatives to Improve Quality of Education in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Administration, School Monitoring, Private School Policies, and Teacher Training (Arabic-language version)
RAND supported the Kurdistan Regional Government in its aims to restructure its Ministry of Education, develop plans for a school quality assurance system, review support of private schools, and assess the content and quality of in-service training.
Apr 21, 2016
Report
Initiatives to Improve Quality of Education in the Kurdistan Region — Iraq: Administration, School Monitoring, Private School Policies, and Teacher Training
RAND supported the Kurdistan Regional Government in its aims to restructure its Ministry of Education, develop plans for a school quality assurance system, review support of private schools, and assess the content and quality of in-service training.
Feb 26, 2016
Commentary
Increase Funds for Quality
In India, perhaps if the funds that are needed are put in with the help of philanthropists like Shiv Nadar, Azim Premji or Rajendra Pawar, it may be possible to build world class universities, writes Rafiq Dossani.
Apr 15, 2013
Journal Article
Are Educational Vouchers Only Redistributive?
It is unclear if vouchers increase educational productivity or are purely redistributive, benefiting recipients by giving them access to more desirable peers at others' expense. To examine this, the authors study an educational voucher programme in Colombia which allocated vouchers by lottery.
Aug 1, 2010
Journal Article
Perspectives on Educational Management Organizations
This chapter examines the history and role of Education Management Organizations (EMOs) in the United States, focusing on two prominent cases: Edison Schools, the largest EMO the country has seen; and Philadelphia, which became the site of the nation's largest experiment in private management of public schools in the wake of a state takeover of the district in 2002.
Jan 1, 2009
Journal Article
Education Vouchers in Colombia
This chapter presents evidence on the impact of a voucher program implemented in 1991 in Colombia. Specifically, the analysis is centered on the mechanism by which the program increased learning outcomes.
Jan 1, 2009
Commentary
Unknown Education Revolution
Published commentary by RAND staff: Unknown Education Revolution, in Mint.
Mar 7, 2007
Commentary
Straight Talk About a Report on Achievement at City Schools
Published commentary by RAND staff: Straight Talk About a Report on Achievement at City Schools, in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Feb 11, 2007
News Release
Study Finds Academic Gains Not Superior Among Philadelphia Students Enrolled in Privately Run Public Schools
February 1, 2007 news release: Study Finds Academic Gains Not Superior Among Philadelphia Students Enrolled in Privately Run Public Schools
Feb 1, 2007
Research Brief
Student Achievement in Privately Managed and District-Managed Schools in Philadelphia Since the State Takeover
This research brief summarizes achievement effects in privately managed schools relative to schools with district-led interventions since state takeover of the Philadelphia Public School District in 2002.
Jan 26, 2007
Report
Academic Gains Not Superior for Students at Privately Run Public Schools
Academic improvement among students attending Philadelphia public schools managed by private operators kept pace, but did not exceed, the achievement gains of students in the rest of the district in the past four years.
Jan 22, 2007
News Release
RAND Says Most Public Schools Managed By Edison Schools Match or Exceed Gains of Comparable Public Schools in 4 to 5 ...
RAND Says Most Public Schools Managed by Edison Schools Match or Exceed Gains of Comparable Public Schools in 4 to 5 Years
Oct 11, 2005

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RAND Education and Labor