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.

Presenting Both Supporting and Opposing Objectives

Charter School Organizations

The National Association of Charter School Authorizers
The National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) is a nonprofit membership association of educational agencies across the country that authorize and oversee charter public schools.

US Charter Schools Overview
Charter schools are nonsectarian public schools of choice that operate with freedom from many of the regulations that apply to traditional public schools. The "charter" establishing each such school is a performance contract detailing the school's mission, program, goals, students served, methods of assessment, and ways to measure success. (website quote)

News

Education Week
Weekly publication of Editorial Projects in Education, "a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization based in Washington, D.C. Our primary mission is to help raise the level of awareness and understanding among professionals and the public of important issues in American education. We cover local, state, and national news and issues from preschool through the 12th grade."

Research Journals

ERIC: Clearinghouse on Educational Management
“The world’s largest database on education.” Educational Resources Information Center is a federally-funded national information system located at the University of Oregon which, provides services and products on a broad range of education-related issues. Many on-line sources, including home pages with links to abstracts, discussion, and on-line journal articles and references.

Research and Policy Organizations

Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life
The website contains useful publications on school choice issues. "The goal of the Boisi Center is to create opportunities where a community of scholars, policy makers, media and religious leaders in the Boston area and nationally can connect in conversations and scholarly reflection around issues at the intersection of religion and American public life. The hope is that such conversations can help to clarify the moral and normative consequences of public policies in ways that can help us to maintain the common good, while respecting our growing religious diversity."

Brookings Institution
"In its research, The Brookings Institution functions as an independent analyst and critic, committed to publishing its findings for the information of the public. In its conferences and activities, it serves as a bridge between scholarship and public policy, bringing new knowledge to the attention of decisionmakers and affording scholars a better insight into public policy issues." A policy center of the Brookings Institution, The Brown Center on Education Policy, "...conducts research on topics in American education, with a special focus on efforts to improve academic achievement in elementary and secondary schools." School privatization is an area of research for this center.

Center for Evaluation and Education Policy (CEEP)
“CEEP provides nonpartisan information, in-depth analysis, technical assistance, and research to policymakers and educators on issues to improve education. Education policies, policy options, and education reform initiatives across the states are evaluated.   CEEP also collaborates with state, regional, and national organizations and agencies to identify trends in education. As part of the Policy Center Network, we share reports and analytic techniques. And, to inform the debate on education policy issues, CEEP hosts and participates in workshops, seminars, and symposia throughout the year.”

Education Commision of the States
"The mission of the Education Commission of the States is to help state leaders identify, develop and implement public policy for education that addresses current and future needs of a learning society." They present information on choice, vouchers, and charter schools.

Education Policy Center at Michigan State University
Non-partisan policy research and analysis center which, is primarily concerned with current educational issues in Michigan. Maintains a collection of current information about the state's educational system and reports on its education policy system. Site includes links to downloadable research papers.

Gallup Organization
Is one of the world’s largest management consulting firms which, also conducts The Gallup Poll on many topics. In conjunction with Phi Delta Kappa, Gallup conducts an annual poll “Of the Public's Attitudes Toward the Public Schools,” that includes questions about school choice (for years from 1996 to present). Site also includes a lengthy report “No Public Consensus Yet on School Voucher Programs” (1/15/01) analyzing polling data on vouchers from 1993-2000.

Mathematica Policy Research, Inc.
"Mathematica Policy Research, Inc. is a leader in policy research and analysis....For three decades, the company has offered policymakers a unique combination of evaluation expertise, direct data collection services, and insight into the socioeconomic issues that drive public policy. Its clients include federal agencies, state and local governments, foundations, universities, professional associations, and businesses."  Their site offers information and analysis of some recent privatization in education initiatives.

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)

Policy Analysis for California Education
Independent policy research center situated at the University of California at Berkeley, whose main goal is to enrich education policy debates on pre-schooling and child development, K-12 school finance, and higher education outreach analysis and empirical evidence. Current topics of projects available on-line include school choice, charter schools, and school reform issues in California.

Program for Research on Private Higher Education
The Program for Research on Private Higher Education (PROPHE) seeks to build knowledge about private higher education around the world.  PROPHE focusses on discovery, dissemination, and analysis.  PROPHE neither represents nor promotes private higher education.  Its main mission is scholarship, which, in turn, should inform public discussion and policymaking.  PROPHE is directed by Daniel C. Levy, Distinguished Professor at the State University of New York, and headquartered at the University of Albany. 

Public Agenda
Public Agenda is a nonpartisan, nonprofit research organization whose main goals are to "help leaders better understand the public's point of view on major policy issues" and to "help citizens better understand critical policy issues so they can make their own more informed and thoughtful decisions."

Rand Corporation
Rand is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policymaking through research and analysis.  It undertakes research on many aspects of education.

The School Choice Demonstration Project (SCDP) "is an educational research project based within Georgetown University ’s Public Policy Institute.  The national team of researchers, institutional research partners, and staff of the SCDP are devoted to the rigorous and unbiased evaluation of school choice programs and other school improvement efforts across the country.  The SCDP is committed to raising and advancing the public’s understanding of the strengths and limitations of school choice policies and programs.”

SpeakOut.com
Nonpartisan internet activism site and online opinion research organization which seeks to “enhance the democratic process by enabling citizens to have a direct impact on the decisions that affect their lives.” Maintains an education activism center which, includes a policy briefing page for school choice that features a pro/con analysis of voucher programs plus links to other on-line resources.

The Evaluation Center at Western Michigan University
The Evaluation Center's mission is “to provide national and international leadership for advancing the theory and practice of program, personnel, and student/constituent evaluation, as applied primarily to education and human services.” The Center's principal activities are research, development, dissemination, service, instruction, and leadership. Site includes evaluations of numerous city and state charter schools and downloadable documents.

Urban Institute
The Urban Institute undertakes research on education through its Education Policy Center.  The Center focusses on the use of market-based mechanisms to improve schooling; the effect of student aid programs; the extent to which a slowing economy will reduce support for education programs; and the ways in which technology may reshape the delivery of education services.