The Recent History of Privatization of Education in Pennsylvania
Open Access
- Author:
- Pierangeli, Christopher James
- Area of Honors:
- Secondary Education
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Science
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Scott Alan Metzger, Thesis Supervisor
Scott Alan Metzger, Thesis Honors Advisor
David Alexander Gamson, Faculty Reader - Keywords:
- Privatization
School Choice
Charter School
Cyber Charter School
State Takeover
Education Improvement Tax Credit Program - Abstract:
- This thesis details the history of the privatization movement in education in Pennsylvania. The thesis will begin with an introduction to the concept of privatization in education. It will then analyze the major pieces of legislation that resulted in the expansion of privatization in Pennsylvania from 1997 until the present day. Since the topic is embedded in the politics of the state, this essay will present both sides of the issue by sorting through partisan information to reveal the beliefs of those in favor of privatization and those opposed. This thesis breaks down the movement itself into three major categories of school privatization: charter schools, the state takeover of districts, and tax credit programs. The foundation of the information in this thesis is based on research from books, newspaper articles, academic journals, websites, and other research studies. By the end of this thesis, the reader should have a better understanding of the causes of the movement, the reasons further privatization action has been stalled, and the overall impact privatization has on the education system in the state of Pennsylvania. The thesis provides an opportunity for the reader to reflect on the ever-changing landscape of education in the state of Pennsylvania.