Text Box: What is "Privatization"? The term "privatization" typically refers to shifting the delivery of services performed by public employees to private businesses. This usually occurs in the form of contracting out (also called "outsourcing"), whereby public organizations enter into contracts with private companies for the delivery of services. Unfortunately, some school districts have been contracting out various education support services for decades. Many of the tasks they perform are often erroneously viewed as "peripheral" services that are detached from the rest of the system of education and thus easily separated from "core" educational functions. There has been no shortage of private companies actively seeking to perform education support functions, particularly in transportation, maintenance, custodial, and food services. In colleges and universities, the practice of contracting out is even more widespread. Read more about what privatization is. Privatization News Oct. 4 Press Release: MEA wins key legal battle for Grand Rapids transportation workers June 30 Press Release: MEA files complaint over illegal lockout in Garden City Fall 2005 MEA Voice: MEA members, staff fight threat strategies used by school district employers during negotiations Survey 2006: School Outsourcing Continues to Grow PRIVATIZATION STUDY: Keeping it Close to Home All Costs Considered: A Report on the Contracting Out of School Support Services in Oregon Text Box: WCEA Home Page