Building Administrator Toolbox: Using Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in Decision Making

• In Event: 42.083 - Roundtable Session 17
  In Roundtable Session: 42.083-1 - School and District Leaders Making Policy Decisions

Abstract

There is a significant body of research on privatization, yet much of it focuses on the practice, and does not offer a significant amount of data on making the decision to privatize. Many administrators have witnessed a marked decrease in the level of quality of services delivered by private firms. This mixed methods research focuses on school district in Illinois that privatized their district food service program in the last ten years. As indicated in the findings, a focus on cost-efficiency does not take into account other factors impacting outcomes for students. These findings highlight the challenges that contracting may have in other policies like school turnaround, charters, or outsourcing school services.

Author

• Marlon I. Cummings, Governors State University