Philanthropic organizations have recently made substantial and targeted investments in public education. With the Ford and Spencer Foundations, we will co-fund an effort to explore mission-driven uses of research by foundations. The American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and Teachers College will co-host two meetings aimed at creating a safe space for participants to have honest discussions about the costs and benefits of these approaches. Participants will evaluate whether foundation funding and dissemination of research discourage broader public discussions and understanding of education reform. Meetings will include 20 representatives from foundations, researchers who receive funding from foundations, and others involved in the study of educational philanthropy. The second meeting will be expanded to include journalists, policy leaders, and advocates interested in how research is used in public debates.
What are the costs and benefits of Philanthropic investments in K-12 education approaches?
