* Varied Structures: The relationships between corporations and school districts vary widely. Some corporations might manage individual schools, while others might provide specific services (like curriculum development or online learning platforms) without directly running the entire school. The level of corporate involvement differs significantly.
* Lack of Centralized Database: There's no single national (or even state-level) database tracking all these arrangements. The contracts are negotiated locally, and information isn't always publicly accessible in a standardized format.
* Terminology: The terms used to describe these arrangements ("charter schools," "managed schools," "contract schools," etc.) aren't always consistent, making it difficult to search effectively.
Examples of Types of Corporate Involvement:
While a complete list is unavailable, you can find examples of corporate involvement in education by looking at:
* Charter Schools Managed by Education Management Organizations (EMOs): EMOs are for-profit companies that manage charter schools. Finding specific examples requires researching charter schools in individual states and identifying their management companies. Note that not all charter schools are run by EMOs; many are non-profit organizations.
* Companies Providing Educational Services: Many companies provide services to schools, like online learning platforms (Khan Academy, for example, though not directly managing schools), textbook publishers, and educational software providers. These companies don't "run" the schools in the same way an EMO does but have significant influence on the educational experience.
* Companies Involved in School Construction and Management: Some companies focus on building and managing school facilities, potentially influencing how the school operates.
To find specific examples in your area, you would need to:
1. Research your local school district's contracts: Many districts publish their contracts online.
2. Look for news articles and reports: Local news may cover controversies or significant developments involving corporate involvement in local schools.
3. Check state education department websites: State education agencies might have data on charter schools and their management structures.
In short, while a definitive list is impossible to provide, researching specific school districts and states will offer insight into the extent of corporate involvement in education in those areas.