Andy Smarick talks with new Bellwether entrepreneur in residence (EIR) David Esselman about his new project. Esselman is launching an independent non-profit based on the ideas from the Urban School System of the Future work. People have asked why we’re spinning this out and not housing this work at Bellwether. The answer is two-fold. First, we have a good track record of helping establish new organizations via the EIR process so we trust the model (at least as much as we trust anything). Second, Bellwether is an organization that is home to people who think a variety of different things about education, school improvement, and reform. That allows us to work with a wide variety of clients across the ideological and political spectrum. We can do this because we don’t have fixed organizational positions – instead we cultivate ideological diversity and our team members are encouraged to have their own views, theories of change, and ideas. It greatly enriches our work. That means, however, that we can’t be home to a fixed body of work that is premised on a single policy or operational strategy. In the case of urban education, we work with school districts on improvement efforts as well as with operators seeking to transform or replace them. Organizationally we’re open to the promise and the risk associated with both strategies rather than being wed to one or the other as housing this organization inside Bellwether would require us to be.
Lisbeth Schorr on evolving standards of evidence in the social sector. Chris Stewart on MLK and education.
Shael Polakow-Suransky wrote an op-ed in the Times last week and people were like, ‘thoughtful dude…” He is! Here’s the speech he gave at his inauguration as President of Bank Street.
Ed tech and the corporate market. John King speech – first big one – to NAN.
Ideas for Hillary Clinton on education. Jeb Bush releases ideas for education. These are things that would matter if education were driving the 2016 primary cycle. Rick Hess with some thoughts on why they don’t, but remember, they rarely do.
Charter initiative in LA is evolving (includes action shot of Broad ed lead Gregory McGinity). Charters in Dallas – it’s all about the kids!
