Posts by Tom Vander Ark
A new kind of B school: Kauffman shows the way
The Kauffman Foundation is clearly the most entrepreneurial philanthropy. Their deep understanding of the importance of entrepreneurship to job creation and economic vitality is, unfortunately, unique in philanthropy and public policy. High Tech High, San Diego, is my favorite school because it encourages kids to…
Tech augmented teacher supply
Here’s the intro to an AEI discussion on teacher supply next week; it’s a good summary of the challenge: Today’s most successful K–12 schools have a voracious appetite for talent. Indeed, successful charter school networks—like KIPP and Achievement First—are perhaps most notable for their ability to create a “no excuses”…
10 Notable CMOs
Following are 10 notable education leaders and their charter management organizations: 1. Larry Rosenstock, High Tech High: the best example of applied and integrated learning I’ve seen. 2. Dacia Toll, Achievement First: the best operator in the business—it’s the relentless pursuit for excellence through execution that…
Spectacular Hartford Magnet schools
Connecticut was a late comer to charters and still has relative few (but very high quality like Achievement First). The state has made a substantial financial commitment to magnet schools in part as a response to a desegregation case. Hartford is home to the Learning Corridor, a…
Maine goes 7-12 laptop program
Maine is expanding it’s 1:1 computing progam from 7th to 12th grade in the fall, as reported in eSchool News. Former Gov. Angus King provided the initial vision and political capital to get this started eight years ago. It’s great to see Gov. John Baldacci continue Maine’s leadership role. …
It’s all about relationships
David Brooks column yesterday is particularly thoughtful reflection on Obama’s education speech. In particular, he focused on the importance of relationships: We’ve spent years working on ways to restructure schools, but what matters most is the relationship between one student and one teacher. You ask a…
2nd Gen Content: flat & sequential to engaging & adaptive
We’re at the beginning of the end of the first generation of online learning content. First gen content was mostly flat and sequential—digital textbooks. Second gen content will be far more engaging and adaptive. For more than a decade, computer games have continuously assessed skill and interest and…
Education—The Sexy Profession!?
Ten years of investment are paying off in a human capital shift and ecosystems of edu-entrepreneurship. We’re seeing top grads at the Ivies and professional schools considering a career in education. …
Making Good on the Good Schools Promise
Making Good on the Good Schools Promise Only one thing needs to change in failing high schools—everything. In the…
The Good School Promise
ConnCan is probably the most effective state-based education advocacy organization. Education policy is particularly complicated in CT with a legacy of strong local control (e.g., the state provides less than 40% of…