Regulating and financing of private schools in Germany, Austria and Switzerland

In this chapter, we compare the regulation and financing of private schools in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. To analyse the differences and similarities between the legal framework of private schools we focus on the following dimensions: legal status of private schools, responsibilities for the legal framework (federal government or the states/cantons), approval criteria and funding sources for public subsidies (federal government or the states/cantons). To investigate the approaches to school funding arrangements and legal frameworks we utilise Scott's institutional pillar model. The chapter will demonstrate that in Germany, Austria and Switzerland the regulatory frameworks vary and influence the establishment and operation of private schools. We also find that, compared to Austria and Switzerland, the German school law provides an enabling environment for the establishment and operation of private schools in Germany.