Influential Organizations

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The Editorial Projects in Education Research Center, with support from the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, has conducted a study of the factors that have influenced the educational policy landscape during the past decade.

The most influential organizations represent an assortment of non-profit, governmental, membership, and philanthropic institutions.

The top places in this leading group are occupied by two government entities and one philanthropic organization. All three finish in a virtual dead heat with scores between 98 and 100 points. The U.S. Congress, the branch of government holding primary authority for enacting education legislation, finishes in first place. Coming in a close second (with 99 points) is the U.S. Department of Education, the executive branch agency responsible for implementing federal policy and programs as well as coordinating with state and local education agencies. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation occupies the third spot on the survey for its work on American high schools.

How the influential organizations rank:

(Click on an organization to download its influence report in PDF format; a new window will open.)

Do you agree with this list? What organizations would you have included?