Education Management Organizations: A Vehicle for Expanding Charter Schools and a Tool for Privatizing Public Education

• In Event: Mapping the Landscape of School Choice: Vouchers, Education Management Organizations, Charter Management Organizations, and Diverse Charters

Abstract

The most common yet lesser known trend in privatization of public education is the contracting of schools to private education management organizations (EMOs). In 2016-17, 100 for-profit EMOs operated 1,007 public schools, and 398 nonprofit EMOs operated 2,589 public schools. These privately operated schools enrolled around 1.5 million students. EMOs are most prevalent among charter schools where close to half of all students are now enrolled in privately operated schools. This study involves a systematic approach to identifying and profiling EMOs across the nation. Since no public or private agency is monitoring the growth of this sector, the results will yield critical information that will inform decisions by districts, schools, and policymakers at the state and federal levels.

Authors

• Gary J. Miron, Western Michigan University

• Christopher Shank, Western Michigan University