Education Gets Political with John McLaughlin, Ph.D.

John M. McLaughlin, Ph.D., directs the Research & Analytics unit of ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy & Education, which evaluates initiatives, provides reviews of literature, examines specific performance inquiries for school district partners, and conducts and publishes original research. With a background in research design and far-reaching industry connections, John has written extensively about the interface of public education and private capital, and, with Mark Claypool, he is co-authored How Autism is Reshaping Special Education: The Unbundling of IDEA and We’re in This Together: Public-Private Partnerships in Special and At-Risk Education, a book that explores public-private partnerships in education and behavioral learning. With Mark, he is writing a book about autism and the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). In addition, John is responsible for identifying transaction opportunities for the company, which have contributed significantly to ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy & Education’s growth. Before joining the company in 1999, John published the influential Education Industry Report and was a tenured associate professor of educational administration. In 1977, he founded Benton Hall Academy, a school in the Nashville area for students in need of a small and caring environment.