The NCSPE maintains links to researchers, journals, newspapers and other organizations that offer diverse perspectives on educational privatization. Many sites are sponsored by organizations with strong political viewpoints, and include a broad range of positions for and against privatization. The NCSPE does not endorse these sites, and provides links to them as a public service.
The mission of the American Association of School Administrators is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to the highest quality public education for all children.AASA members are the chief education advocates for children. AASA members advance the goals of public education and champion children’s causes in their districts and nationwide (website quote)
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
"School voucher programs undermine two great American traditions: universal public education and the separation of church and state. Instead of embracing vouchers, communities across the country should dedicate themselves to finding solutions that will be available to every American schoolchild and that take into account the important legacy of the First Amendment."
Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
"School voucher programs undermine two great American traditions: universal public education and the separation of church and state. Instead of embracing vouchers, communities across the country should dedicate themselves to finding solutions that will be available to every American schoolchild and that take into account the important legacy of the First Amendment."
“The Council of the Great City Schools is a coalition of 64 of the nation's largest urban public school systems. Founded in 1956 and incorporated in 1961, the Council is located in
Washington
D.C.
, where it works to promote urban education through legislation, research, media relations, instruction, management, technology, and other special projects designed to improve the quality of urban education. The Council serves as the national voice for urban educators, providing ways to share promising practices and address common concerns.”
Education Minnesota
"Education Minnesota is 70,000 educators working together for excellence in education for all Minnesota students. Education Minnesota opposes the diversion of local, state or federal tax dollars to private or religious schools or educational programs through a voucher system, an income tax credit for tuition and fees, or income tax deductions for tuition and fees for education programs."
National Association of State Boards of Education
The National Association of State Boards of Education exists to strengthen State Boards as the preeminent educational policymaking bodies for students and citizens.
(website quote)
National Education Association (NEA)
The NEA is opposed to vouchers as a method for school improvement. "In general, evaluations of voucher students' achievement show no or only small improvements relative to comparable public school students....NEA believes that instead of diverting scarce school resources to vouchers for a select few, we should help public schools work for all students by instituting proven reform efforts to increase student achievement, improve teacher quality, and set high standards." The NEA has concerns about the effectiveness of charter school plans as well.
National PTA
"The National PTA believes that public education provides a common experience for building and maintaining a commitment to the basic values of a democratic system of government. A strong public education system is vital to America's well-being." Furthermore, "National PTA supports public funds for public schools only and opposes using tax dollars to finance education vouchers for private and religious schools."
National Rural Education Association
The NREA (National Rural Education Association) was originally founded as the Department of Rural Education in 1907. It has evolved as a strong and respected organization of rural school administrators, teachers, board members, regional service agency personnel, researchers, business and industry representatives, and others interested in maintaining the vitality of rural school systems across the country.
(website quote)
National School Boards Association
"The NSBA urges Congress to oppose any efforts to subsidize elementary or secondary private, religious or home schools with public tax dollars. Specifically, NSBA opposes the creation of tax credits and tax subsidies that in any form are targetted to the tuition or expenses of for non-public K-12 schools. Rather than diverting scarce tax dollars away from our public school classrooms, NSBA urges Congress to support improvements in our public schools." NSBA does support a local school board's discretion to contrast with private providers for non-instructional services.
People for the American Way
People for the American Way is an organization whose larger goal is the defense of the democratic values of "pluralism, individuality, and freedom of thought, expression and religion." Supporting public schools and defeating voucher legislation are major interests.
Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA)
The PSEA was founded "to advance quality public education for all students while fostering the dignity and worth of members through collective action." They have passed resolutions opposing vouchers and tuition tax credits, and stating that "any charter/cyber-charter school proposal must directly involve public school employees in the design, implementation, and governance of these schools and programs.... [and] must not divert current funds from any public school programs."
Public Education Network (PEN)
Public Education Network (PEN) is a national association of
local education funds (LEFs)
and
individuals
working to advance public school reform in low-income communities across our country. PEN believes an active, vocal constituency is the key to ensuring that every child, in every community, benefits from a quality public education
.(website quote)
National Rural Education Association
The NREA (National Rural Education Association) was originally founded as the Department of Rural Education in 1907. It has evolved as a strong and respected organization of rural school administrators, teachers, board members, regional service agency personnel, researchers, business and industry representatives, and others interested in maintaining the vitality of rural school systems across the country.
(website quote)
National School Boards Association
"The NSBA urges Congress to oppose any efforts to subsidize elementary or secondary private, religious or home schools with public tax dollars. Specifically, NSBA opposes the creation of tax credits and tax subsidies that in any form are targetted to the tuition or expenses of for non-public K-12 schools. Rather than diverting scarce tax dollars away from our public school classrooms, NSBA urges Congress to support improvements in our public schools." NSBA does support a local school board's discretion to contrast with private providers for non-instructional services.
People for the American Way
People for the American Way is an organization whose larger goal is the defense of the democratic values of "pluralism, individuality, and freedom of thought, expression and religion." Supporting public schools and defeating voucher legislation are major interests.
Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA)
The PSEA was founded "to advance quality public education for all students while fostering the dignity and worth of members through collective action." They have passed resolutions opposing vouchers and tuition tax credits, and stating that "any charter/cyber-charter school proposal must directly involve public school employees in the design, implementation, and governance of these schools and programs.... [and] must not divert current funds from any public school programs."
Public Education Network (PEN)
Public Education Network (PEN) is a national association of
local education funds (LEFs)
and
individuals
working to advance public school reform in low-income communities across our country. PEN believes an active, vocal constituency is the key to ensuring that every child, in every community, benefits from a quality public education
.(website quote)
Research and Policy Organizations
The Economic Policy Institute
The Economic Policy Institute, a nonprofit
Washington
D.C.
think tank, was created in 1986 to broaden the discussion about economic policy to include the interests of low- and middle-income workers. Today, with global competition expanding, wage inequality rising, and the methods and nature of work changing in fundamental ways, it is as crucial as ever that people who work for a living have a voice in the economic discourse.
(website quote)
Education International
Provides research on international studies regarding education and the effects of
privatization internationally. Such as
“
A study commissioned by Education International reveals that a growing trend towards privatization of public education is often camouflaged by the language of “educational reform,” or introduced stealthily as “modernization.” (website quote)
Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC)
"The WEAC believes that voucher plans and tuition tax credits or finding formulas that have the same effect - under which pre-K through 12 nonpublic school education is subsidized by tax monies - undermine public education, reduce the support needed to adequately fund public education, and have the potential for racial, economic, and social segregation of children. The Council opposes all attempts to establish and/or implement such plans."
