How times have changed. In the newer realm of high technology, schools have never been their own producers. From carpets to paper towels, schools are outfitted by private businesses and distributors. The reasons are obvious and sensible. Besides the possibility of reducing costs, administrators favor contracting out to diminish the administrative burden, increase accountability, and improve performance.
Experts can often do it better, faster, more reliably, and even more cheaply.
But most important, administrators are freed to focus on academics. Modern school systems are simply doing what is already de rigueur in business and industry. Even the most famous vertically integrated producer in history, the Ford Motor Company, outsourced such basics as tires. The First Annual Education Industry Conference was held in New York City in mid-February. Several hundred potential investors and educationindustry leaders showed up to trade war stories, sniff out the competition, and pick up hints on investment possibilities in the future of education.