Trends or events that will influence the role of private corporations in the operations of public schools in the year 2005: A Delphi study.

摘要

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to identify the trends and events that are likely to occur between now and the year 2005 that will influence the role of private corporations in the operations of public schools.;Methodology. A Delphi study was conducted with a panel of twenty experts; ten educational leaders/policy analysts, and ten privatization experts. One hundred percent of the experts responded in each of the three rounds. Data were collected using fax and e-mail technology and the data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test.;Findings. The experts' consensus of trends or events most likely to influence the role of private corporations in the operations of public schools include: passage of charter school laws; satellite companies and internet providers delivering instruction; private companies developing technological services for schools; public school contracts for food, custodial, transportation services; parent demand for choice; privately developed curriculum packages for home school market; school to work learning emphasis resulting in new curriculum and new markets; privately developed curriculum on CDs, the WEB, book stores, and teacher opportunities to teach in many different types of schools including those privately operated. There were significant differences between the two expert groups on some items.;Conclusions. Parent's demand for choice of schools, types of educational programs, and accountability will open markets for private corporations. Charter school laws are forecasted to pass in states across the county opening markets for private providers. Technology will continue to be "scarce" and private companies will provide services and training. Curriculum will be easily obtained by both the home school market and the public in general as private companies use the Internet, CDs, and other markets to sell educational services.;Recommendations for action. Public schools should make every effort to: acquire technology for students; develop curriculum "packages" via the Internet; become familiar with the request for proposal (RFP) process to elicit bids for services, and maximize efforts to create cooperative and supportive partnerships with private corporations. Public schools should replicate the means used by successful charter schools to improve student achievement.