privatization

"With the launch of the Falcon 1 rocket in 2008, Elon Musk's SpaceX became the first private company to build a low-cost rocket that could reach orbit. And that milestone carried major implications: Silicon Valley, not NASA, was suddenly cemented as the epicenter of the new Space Age. Start-ups and the wealthy investors behind them began to realize that the universe-ungoverned and infinite-was open for business. Welcome to the wild west of aerospace engineering. When the Heavens Went on Sale tells the remarkable, unfolding story of this frenzied intergalactic land grab. Through his trademark immersive reporting, Ashlee Vance follows four pioneering companies-Astra, Firefly, Planet Labs, and Rocket Lab-as they build new space systems and attempt to launch rockets into orbit"--Provided by publisher.

"Takes a close look at the side of the US prison system that relies on for-profit companies . . . Explores the history behind for-profit prisons in the United States as well as varying opinions about the ethics of for-profit prisons"--Provided by publisher.

For-Profit Prisons takes a close look at the side of the US prison system that relies on for-profit companies. It explores the history behind for-profit prisons in the United States as well as varying opinions about the ethics of for-profit prisons. Features include a glossary, further readings, websites, source notes, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Essential Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

"Traces the emergence of corporate reform and describes how its tenets run counter to ... the key elements of a high-quality education. McGill draws from a wealth of experience as a school superintendent for over 40 years, including his tenure in Scarsdale during the 2001 district-wide boycott of New York State standardized tests. Showing how strong leaders working with teachers and the community have been able to strengthen schools, the author offers a model of [public] school reform that will prepare students for the 21st century."--Provided by publisher.

Private security is an industry that is indispensable to American foreign and military policy. When the Bush administration used security contractors to supplement the military during the war in Iraq, private contractors began to eventually exceed traditional troops in what some now regard as America's first contractor war. Today the industry continues to explore a vast array of new markets for its armed and unarmed security and defensive services. What is the risk for the United States as we increasingly depend on contractors for our security?.

Explores the controversial issue of private and for-profit schools versus public education, including how the privatization approach operates, how it is succeeding, and how it is failing.

The Committee is an international cabal, an online oligarchy, that is nearing its goal of privatizing all information. Standing in the cabal's way is Dear Diary, an online underground battling to keep information free for everyone. Into the middle of this shadow conflict come Leila Majnoun, Leo Crane, and Mark Dveraux. Mark doesn't know it, but he is working for the Committee. Leo, formerly Mark's friend, writes a scathing review of Mark's online work, but the Committee deletes his words. Across the world, Leila discovers the Committee's ambitions could threaten the lives of her loved ones.

Chris Whittle recounts the efforts of his company, Edison Schools, to improve inner-city education for American children, offering them a chance at a better education and a better future.

A collection of controversial essays that debate the issues that concern the elderly including health care, the number of caregivers to the elderly, social security, job discrimination, and affordable housing.

Argues that Social Security in the early twenty-first century is as financially stable as it has been in decades and that the arguments that Social Security will be bankrupt in the next twenty years are completely false.