American public schools have become government institutions, buffeted by
political decisions and hamstrung by regulations. This study sought a
practical alternative form of governance for public education, and
concludes that such an alternative is possible. Public school
contracting allows schools to be operated by a variety of public and
private organizations, based on school-specific contracts. These
contracts would define each school's mission and basis for obtaining
public funds and establish standards and procedures for accountability.
Local public school boards would not operate schools, but would contract
with independent organizations to run them. A local board would oversee
many different contracts, some for high schools and some for grade
schools, some for highly distinctive schools (e.g., Montessori) and
others for more conventional schools. Boards would let contracts to
expand or reproduce successful schools, and they could close and replace
unsuccessful schools. The report suggests ways school contracting can be
tested and implemented. (A more current and expanded version of this
book is now available from the University of Chicago Press, 1997, ISBN
0-226-33652-2)
