To the untrained eye, privatization may appear to be in opposition to the mission of public education. Its has been argued that the business model of bottom line results and visible returns has had a dehumanizing effect in the business world. Companies seem to focus on profits, often at the expense of the common worker. Though skeptics abound, the reality of the dismal situation the public school system has found itself in is cause enough for authorities to rethink their current model. The trend toward increased emphasis on accountability has fueled a resurgence of standardized testing and some broad method of categorizing student achievement to fit a national mold. Yet, is there more to the move toward privatization than simply repairing a broken model? The multisided debate may soon be put to rest as failing districts s
Privatization, however, is not without justified criticism. Critics argue that their isn’t sufficient evidence that privatization has proven more effect. Opponents are equally concerned that a profit driven model could have adverse effects on the way student achievement is perceived. What is to be done of students who do not meet a companies standards? In the business model, an employee could face termination but that would be impossible in education. Furthermore, teachers and administrators may not favor the idea of being merely employees.
The basic premise of privatization is based on the assumption that independent companies can perform specialized functions more efficiently than the government. A major goal in doing so includes cutting through bureaucracy and wasteful habits, and streamlining the functionality of sch