Growth of for-profit education management organizations slowsAug. 1, 2008 KALAMAZOO--The use of for-profit education management organizations for public institutions is leveling off after a decade of rapid growth, according to a report developed by Western Michigan University researchers. But many states, including Michigan, still have up to 80 percent of their charter public schools contracting out management services to private companies. The 185-page "Profiles for For-profit Education Management Organizations 2007-08" was released July 30 by researchers from WMU and Arizona State University to track trends between public schools and the use of EMOs. The report found the number of schools these EMOs operate has decreased slightly. However, since these schools continue to increase their average enrollment, the number of students in these privately operated public schools is still growing, though at a slower rate. There are a number of likely factors for the slowed growth, says Dr. Gary Miron, WMU professor of education. These include limits on charter school growth in some states, and the fact that many charter public schools are realizing that they can better use the money they have been setting aside for management fees. Many of the larger EMOs are now diversifying and are seeking to expand into supplemental education services such as tutoring and summer schools. Michigan has about 240 charter schools operating in the state, more than 80 percent managed by EMOs and one of the highest percentages in the country. Key findings of the new report include:
WMU's research team also is filing a report on non-profit EMOs, Miron says, which will be available in September. For more information, contact Gary Miron at gary.miron@wmich.edu or (269) 387-3771. Media contact: Deanne Molinari, (269) 387-8400, deanne.molinari@wmich.edu WMU News |