This CSRQ Center Report on Education Service Providers [PDF, 1.97 MB] provides a scientifically based, consumer-friendly review of the effectiveness and quality of seven widely implemented education service provider (ESP) models: Edison Schools; Imagine Schools; The Leona Group, L.L.C.; Mosaica Education; National Heritage Academies (NHA); SABIS Educational Systems, Inc.; and White Hat Management (HOPE Academies). An ESP is a nonprofit or for-profit organization that contracts with new or existing public, charter, or private schools or school districts to provide a comprehensive approach to whole school improvement, including school administration and educational programming. Together, these seven ESPs likely represent 60 to 65% of U.S. schools currently being served by ESPs.
Each model is profiled and rated in the following categories:
Category 1: Evidence of positive effects on student achievement.
Category 2: Evidence of positive effects on additional outcomes.
Category 3: Evidence of positive effects on family and community involvement.
Category 4: Evidence of a link between research and model design.
Category 5: Evidence of services and support to schools to enable successful implementation.
The report provides education stakeholders with a decision making tool to help sort through the options in the range of ESP models that are available to support whole school or district improvement. The reviews are intended to clarify options, not to point to or endorse “best buys" from the seven ESP models reviewed. To be included in this review each model must serve a minimum of 20 schools in three or more states, and include at least five of the following components, as defined by the U.S. Department of Education: governance, administrative services, technical assistance, classroom practices, professional development, leadership development, benchmarks/assessments, and curriculum. To learn more about the methodologies used by the CSRQ Center in writing this report, click here.
The complete report is provided in PDF format. Readers may download and reproduce the report in its entirety. Readers may also opt to search the report for information about specific models using the links provided below. This report is available exclusively online.
Executive Summary [PDF, 417 KB]
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The contents of this report were developed by the Comprehensive School Reform Quality (CSRQ) Center, which is operated by the American Institutes for Research (AIR), under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The views expressed in this report do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Education, or AIR.
CSRQ Reports Database Use the database to search and compare models reviewed in all CSRQ Center reports, and to download reviews of individual models. This database will also allow you to search models listed in the CSRQ Model Registry.
Moving Forward: A Guide to Selecting and Implementing Comprehensive School Reform and Improvement Strategies This guide provides a train-the-trainer workshop on selecting and implementing a school improvement model. To access this Guide and other resources on CSR, please visit our Resources page.
CSR Conversation This feature of our Web site enables you to ask questions and have a dialogue with some of the most respected experts in the CSR field. On a monthly basis, experts will be available to respond to your questions electronically.
The CSRQ Center welcomes your feedback regarding this report's usefulness in meeting your school improvement needs. Please email your comments regarding the quality, relevance, and usability of this report to [email protected].
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