Archive
component:when.finance
DIY: Raising Money
Raising money is a function of delivering the right pitch to the right person. That's true for impact seeking investments from foundations and return seeing investments from private equity investors.
What Money, Biking & Psychology Have In Common
Personal finance has a lot in common with riding a bike. Think back, how did you learn how to ride a bike? In my case, somebody told me what to do and how to move. However, that wasn't enough to really learn how to bike. I had to try, fall, stand up again, practice and eventually, I was able to hold the balance and biking became intuitive.
Free School Reforms in Sweden Boost Quality, Innovation, and Choice
Barbara Bergstrom takes a look at "free school reform" in Sweden and its effects on the classroom. She shares critical observations around quality and reputation, looking at the Swedish Knowledge Schools as a primary case study.
How Philanthropy Can Improve & Accelerate the Shift to Digital Learning
There are a dozen opportunities for foundations to focus, improve and accelerate the shift to digital learning including planning support for school, district, network, and states; supporting pilots programs and new schools; and sponsoring research, advocacy, and learning opportunities.
Investing in Innovation: Capital Flows to Education
The drought is over and capital is flowing to innovators in K-12, postsecondary, and consumer learning. That’s the conclusion of a report from GSV Advisors including industry veterans Deborah Quazzo and Michael Moe. They examine the “near spontaneous explosion of entrepreneurial activity in education.”
Who Governs The Child?
North Carolina is host to the latest battle over expanding digital learning, charter schools, and parent choice. It involves attempts by the State Board of Education (SBE) and the NC School Boards Association to block a proposed online public charter school, North Carolina Virtual Academy (NCVA) from serving students this Fall. Yet, beyond the details of this one new charter school, this issue has sparked a renewed debate over governance, and whether the principal virtue of “local control” in education is district control or parent choice.
A Lesson In Funding 1:1 Access From Spearfish, South Dakota
Steve Morford is the principal of Spearfish High School in Spearfish, South Dakota—a 1:1 teaching and learning environment. With close to seven years of experience leading a 1:1 school, Mr. Morford has a lot of wisdom to share, especially when it comes to financing improved student access to technology.
Strategic Philanthropy Is Making Foundations Less Responsive
Strategic philanthropy made the sector less responsive, less entrepreneurial, and more risk averse. A vibrant economy that promotes opportunity and equity requires a vibrant startup sector--both return seeking and impact seeking. It’s time for strategic philanthropy 2.0--a basket of more dynamic, risk-taking, entrepreneurial approaches to making a difference.
Dear NSF, Here’s a Plan to Boost Math Achievement
NSF and U.S.ED are gathering input to shape a $60 million math R&D initiative. They should invests half the money in a series of grants that study math motivation and the other half in classroom trials and prizes.
Should corporations run publicly funded online schools?
Private enterprise should be eligible for statewide operating contracts for public schools and programs. Private companies have the unique ability to provide quality services at scale. Private enterprise has three unique benefits compared to government agencies and nonprofits. The ability to raise and invest capital is critical to building quality content and learning platforms--investments that can easily exceed $100 million. The ability to rapidly respond to increased demand and operate at scale is another key advantage. The third benefit is the ability to manage to outcomes--data driven decision making combined with operational flexibility.