The Global Education Industry: The Role of Corporations and Philanthropies in Setting Education Agendas

Session Type: WERA Symposium

Abstract

Trends toward privatization are apparent not only within certain countries, but across national boundaries as we witness the emergence of a discernable global education industry. This industry is not only multi-national, but multi-faceted, as its role is evident in a range of services, as well as in reshaping education policymaking.
As part of the World Yearbook on Education 2016, which focuses on the global education industry, this panel pulls together a selection of papers that deal with the role of the education industry in education policy. Specifically, the panel will consider how and why private organisations, such as corporations and philanthropies, have been notably successful in reshaping educational policy agendas through setting standards and assessments, but also through public advocacy campaigns.

Sub Unit

• World Education Research Association

Chair

• Antoni Verger, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Papers

• The Role of the Philanthropic Sector in Shaping the Emerging Education Market: Lessons From the United States on Privatization of Schools and Education Governance - Wayne Au, University of Washington - Bothell; Christopher A. Lubienski, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Philantocracy: Philanthropic Governance, the Commercialization of Education, and That Thing Called "Democracy" - Antonio Olmedo, Institute of Education - University of London

• Private Authority or Ambiguity? The Evolving Role of Corporations and Foundations in the Global Partnership for Education - Francine Menashy, University of Massachusetts - Boston

• Entrepreneurial Influence in Brazilian Education Policies: The Case of Todos pela Educação - Erika Moreira Martins, Campinas University; Nora Rut Krawczyk, Campinas State University

Discussant

• Robert L. Lingard, University of Queensland