We're In This Together: Public-Private Partnerships in Special and at-Risk-Education

We’re In This Together: Public-Private Partnerships in Special and At-Risk-Education is a timely book that explores the use by public schools of private education companies to meet the needs of some of the nation’s most challenged and challenging students. The book examines variations of use by states as well as the cultural attitudes toward the private sector to address these core functions of public schooling. The book offers grounded and thought provoking perspectives on: the legal framework of PL94-142 and its successor IDEA; the disconnect between the needs of young children with autism and public school special education services; and the significant size of the at-risk population and the shortcomings of efforts to serve those students. Written as qualitative research in the form of ethnographic participant observation, key sources in the literature are cited and four dozen knowledgeable people in positions of significant authority are interviewed on the interface of public education and the private sector in special and at-risk education. A foreword is provided by Barbara Byrd Bennett, CEO of the Chicago Public Schools.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Barbara Byrd Bennett, CEO Chicago Public Schools Preface/Authors’ Note Chapter 1: Today’s Public Schools: Doing More with Less Chapter 2: Public-Private Partnerships: America’s Favorite Complicated Relationship Chapter 3: Profiles of Private Partners: Where There’s a Need There’s a Way Chapter 4:Partnering for Students with Special Needs: A Well-Worn Trail (In Some States) Chapter 5:Young Children with Autism: Blazing a New Trail Chapter 6: Serving At-Risk Students: Off-Trail Partnering Chapter 7: A Trail to the Future About the Authors

About the Author :
Mark Claypool is president and CEO of Educational Services of America (ESA), which he founded in 1999. Prior to forming ESA, he held various positions in both state government and the private sector in mental health, juvenile corrections, and education. Today, ESA is the nation’s leading provider of behavior therapy and alternative and special education programs for children and young adults. John M. McLaughlin, PhD, is an executive vice president and the director of research and analytics for Educational Services of America (ESA). He has been with the company since 1999. Prior to joining ESA, McLaughlin founded Benton Hall School in Nashville (1977), was a tenured professor of educational administration at St. Could State University in Minnesota (1988–1998), and wrote monthly on education reform via The Education Industry Report (1993–2000).

Review :
The authors of We’re In This Together are founding members of Educational Services of America, and they conducted interviews with forty-eight professionals in the PPP arena, from educators to company leaders to attorneys, to bring this book together. . . .[F]or anyone doing specific research to back up their claims of the need for a PPP, or those completing a scholarly report, this book is a good start. . . .Overall this book is professional and comprehensive without being overwhelming. Authors John McLaughlin, a seasoned educator who knows the private sector providers well, and Mark Claypool, a highly successful entrepreneur in the educational services space, have written a concise argument for more public-private partnerships in education. Their message of collaboration between public schools and the private sector and the creation of partnerships is an essential one, especially for the special needs students on which they focus. The book highlights several firms that provide such services, including several the authors represent, but independent testimonials by practitioners also support the benefits of such alliances.... The authors cite many facts and figures, define the needs that districts are trying to fulfill and offer these private sector partners as a possible solution. Our nation's autistic and other at-risk students require a "by any means necessary" response that our already over-stressed public education system has struggled to provide on its own. But things are starting to change and minds are being opened to new ways of meeting the important needs of these precious young people. We're in this Together looks at some innovative models and public-private partnerships which show that serving special needs children can be done well if we are willing to rethink some longstanding assumptions and arrangements within public education. It begs the question: can we do better for kids? The answer, we see, is a resounding yes. A significant contribution to our understanding of the viability and importance of markets in the provision of education. The authors provide a much needed call for a wider array of avenues to reach students place at peril by society. Mark Claypool and John McLaughlin have waded into the vital but often overlooked question of how public-private partnerships can help school districts serve their students more effectively. Especially when it comes to at-risk students and children with special needs, schools and systems can use plenty of help. Claypool and McLaughlin have penned a timely, practical volume that can help educators and private providers work together more effectively and accountably. Considering the need to close the gap between cost of delivery and certainty as to effectiveness of solution for the exceptional learner, Mark Claypool and John Mclaughlin have taken on the oft-ignored but important support layer of private-public partnerships in the USA. There are no two more experienced curators of relevant and pragmatic information on this topic, which should be required reading for professionals and parents of up to 20% of the national student population. As a both a business owner and advocate for the advancement of Chicago's youth, I have seen the impact private businesses partnerships can make on a community level, first hand. In large and diverse urban markets, a multifaceted approach to education is absolutely necessary to meet the needs of our young people. We're in this Together provides a fresh perspective on the ways non-traditional partnerships can provide solutions to address complex issues within our educational systems. The higher the standards; the greater the gap; the more public-private partnerships are needed to reach America's academic goals and fulfill every student's dream for the future! Meet two of this nation's greatest visionaries, Mark Claypool and John McLaughlin, who are determined to accomplish both for every Iearner in every classroom throughout the US. These two tenacious education leaders have authored a most timely book that educators, parents, advocates, Congress and every education stakeholder must read. They insightfully and sensitively define the past, shed light on the present and illuminate a path for every student who is challenged to attain a quality education in our public schools. I hope we all listen, hear and act on their clarion call for all of our children. This book covers in detail a virtually unexplored "third rail" of SpEd services for school districts. Through interviews with stakeholders on "both sides" that have successfully collaborated & improved options & serves for students, families & school employees, this book delivers a new & fresh view that will be of value to the overwhelming majority of our nation's 14,000+ school districts that have not explored these opportunities. Congrats to John McLaughlin and Mark Claypool for this groundbreaking book that shares the many challenges public schools face today and explores how private, often for-profit companies can provide the help needed to ensure more at-risk students can indeed find success.