Uncertain allies: Public-private partnerships in the Boston Compact, 1982-1996

Public-private partnerships are emerging as proposed solutions to some of the most vexing social policy issues of the 1990s. These partnerships are particularly common and highly visible in public education where policy makers are seeking the active involvement of businesses at the national, state and local levels. In Boston, the business community has formed a partnership with public schools through an effort known as the Boston Compact.;These questions are examined by exploring implementation of the most recent policy directives of the Boston Compact. Case study research methods include collection of source documents and semi-structured interviews with 22 employees from two businesses and 23 teachers or administrators from a high school and elementary school. Particular emphasis is given to the structural compatibility of partnering organizations, communication between and among individuals from businesses and schools, planning for partnership activities as well as reward and recognition for individuals who are working in partnership activities and programs.;There are six key findings from this study. First, implementation of the most recent Boston Compact policies is not being managed or directed. Second, there are serious cultural differences between the schools and businesses that impede effective implementation of the Boston Compact's goals. Third, examined over time, the Boston Compact appears to act as a disincentive for (a) substantial corporate investment in schools and (b) funding for individual schools from the central school administration.;Fourth, the business community is not serving as an effective advocate for schools in building community and political support, even though the Boston business community is organized and politically active in controlling tax rates and supporting candidates for public office. Fifth, the life of individual partnerships in this study is highly cyclical with an initial period of investment followed by rapid decline in investment by both partners. Sixth, the study finds overwhelming evidence of individual commitment among those who participate in partnership efforts, although there is little or no evidence of institutional support for employee involvement in the partnerships within the two companies in the study.;The central questions of this study are: How do public-private partnerships work? Do such partnerships build political, community and financial support for schools? What are they good at doing? What are their limitations?...