The present booklet, written by Clive Belfield and Henry Levin, describes and analyzes privatization reforms which have occurred essentially, but not exclusively, in industrialized Western and Latin American countries. Among such reforms they analyze voucher programmes, the introduction of freedom of choice in the public system, deregulation and private management of largely publicly funded schools – such as in charter schools –, funding of privately provided education services, etc. They discuss the impact of such reforms on a number of criteria: freedom of choice, efficiency, equity and social cohesion; and derive some lessons for educational planners. They refrain from generalizing across the board: they argue convincingly that all depends on the national context and the way in which the reform is designed and implemented. Certain voucher schemes which are targeted at disadvantaged groups end up being more equitable than traditional, often socially segregated, public systems. When designing a reform, educational planners have to clearly define the objectives and take into consideration its design and modalities.
