Reinventing public education
By: Paul T. Hill.
Contributors: George Gund Foundation.; Lilly Endowment.; Rand Corporation.; Rand Institute on Education & Training.
Publisher: RAND
Published: 1995
Place of publication: Santa Monica, CA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 124
Subjects: Performance contracts in education -- United States; Educational change -- United States; School management and organization -- United States
Description: American public schools have become government institutions, buffeted by political decisions and hamstrung by regulations. This study sought a practical alternative form of governance for public education, and concludes that such an alternative is possible. Public school contracting allows schools to be operated by a variety of public and private organizations, based on school-specific contracts. These contracts would define each school's mission and basis for obtaining public funds and establish standards and procedures for accountability. Local public school boards would not operate schools, but would contract with independent organizations to run them. A local board would oversee many different contracts, some for high schools and some for grade schools, some for highly distinctive schools (e.g., Montessori) and others for more conventional schools. Boards would let contracts to expand or reproduce successful schools, and they could close and replace unsuccessful schools. The report suggests ways school contracting can be tested and implemented. (A more current and expanded version of this book is now available from the University of Chicago Press, 1997, ISBN 0-226-33652-2).
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 115-124).
"MR-312-LE/GGF"--P. [4] of cover.
"Institute on Education and Training."
"Supported by the Lilly Endowment, Inc. and the George Gund Foundation."