School Privatization : Private Management of Public Schools by Outsourcing Non-Instructional Services

Abstract

This paper examines private management of public schools and focuses on Michigan Public Schools by using data analysis. The conclusion is that public school districts need to adopt outsourcing for non-instructional aspects. Private companies specialize in specific tasks providing services at greater efficiency. With greater efficiency, private companies compete with other companies forcing prices to drop. As a result, it is cheaper for school districts to outsource than have in-house employees. In private sectors, successful contract arrangements are made between the private sector and the school district, often resulting in improved service quality due to expert management. A management contract gives a school district a partner that can offer fresh thinking and new solutions. The findings of this study concluded that larger districts are more likely to outsource than smaller districts, and likewise schools with more money. In addition, giving schools more public funding would increase instructional spending, but the level of spending on programs within the school had no impact on instruction. Overall though, outsourcing allows districts to focus on their number one job: educating young people. Michigan school districts should give a chance to outsourcing within a school district.