program that shows parents, teachers, and
Lebanon, the United Kingdom, and other
students how to use computers effectively.
countries as well as in Massachusetts,
Edison schools also have longer and more
Michigan, and Minnesota. In the United
school days; Edison students spend 28 percent
States, SABIS operates both charter and pri-
more time in school each year than do stu-
vate schools. Each school is financially and
dents in regular public schools.26 Edison uses
administratively independent, but all schools
a reading program developed at Johns
use the SABIS educational system, called the
Hopkins University and a mathematics pro-
SABIS Edge: "SABIS Edge prepares all stu-
gram from the University of Chicago.2 7Edison
dents for success in college, fosters a love for
Schools may appeal to parents who view com
-
life-long learning and develops responsible
puter literacy as a priority for their children.
world citizenship. It blends quality education
(See Appendix, Table A.1.)
with traditional values of hard work and duty
to self and others."34
National Heritage Academies, a different
sort of for-profit schooling company, man-
SABIS uses information brochures on
ages 22 charter schools in Michigan and
individual schools to reach out to parents of
North Carolina and focuses on educating
prospective students. For example, the
students to be "good citizens," as well as
brochure describing the International School
Bright Horizons
good students.2 8 National Heritage Acade-
of Minnesota, a private pre-K12 school,
Family Solutions
emphasizes the school's global perspective
mies puts it this way: "The importance of
and the diversity of its student body: "At ISM,
heroes and a moral focus are incorporated
and Nobel
one third of the students have multicultural
into the curriculum, with strong emphasis
Learning demon-
backgrounds. . . . This focus on cultural
placed on the uniqueness of U.S. history and
on the people who shaped it."29 National
strate how
diversity adds a unique flavor to ISM.
Students quickly learn to be sensitive to the
Heritage Academies encourages parental
responsive com-
experiences of others and learn to appreciate
involvement in education by asking parents
panies can be to
differences as well as similarities."3 5Parents of
to pledge to be involved in their children's
education and by providing "parent rooms"
prospective students learn that the student
customer
so parents feel welcome.
will begin studying another language in
demands for new
National Heritage Academies follows the
preschool, will be required to wear a uniform,
or better services.
Hirsch Core Knowledge Sequence, which
and will be able to participate in numerous
emphasizes mastering fundamental skills
extracurricular activities. SABIS may appeal
and a "standard body of knowledge."3 0
to parents who are new to the country or
believe that a global perspective will be
National Heritage Academies measures
important for their child's future.
results by student performance and parent
Two other education companies, Bright
satisfaction. For instance, it advertises: "Test
Horizons Family Solutions and Nobel
results over the past two years show that stu-
Learning, demonstrate how responsive com
-
dents have scored 35 percent above the
panies can be to customer demands for new
national average on standardized tests mea-
suring grade level growth."31 In addition,
or better services. Both companies started
out as for-profit child care providers and, in
National Heritage Academies highlights par-
both cases, parents' enthusiasm for the day-
ent surveys that show that parents are over-
whelmingly satisfied with the schools.32 (See
care programs led the companies to expand
their services and open for-profit schools for
Appendix, Table A.2.)
school-aged children.
A third variation in for-profit schooling is
Bright Horizons Family Solutions is the
the SABIS School Network. The network
nation's largest provider of employer-spon-
consists of 22 member schools and three
sored child care, with family centers serving
associate member schools around the world
serving roughly 18,500 students.3 3 SABIS
31,000 children36 for more than 200 compa-
schools are located in Jordan, Egypt,
nies, including Boeing, DuPont, Johnson &
6