Foundations/Philanthropy
Learn more about the impact of foundations and philanthropy in schools
Early Childhood
What's Motivating Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' Early-Childhood Ed. Approach?
Serious questions are being asked about whether Bezos' $2 billion commitment to improve preschools and help homeless families will be driven by the right principles.
Early Childhood
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos' Ambitious Pre-K Move Sparks Wary Reactions
The world's richest man says he wants to help tackle one of the biggest issues in education: improving early-childhood learning.
Education Funding
Gates Unveils First-Round Grants in New Education Strategy
The $92 million in grants will support networks of schools working to help students of color and low-income students find a path to college.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Opinion
LeBron James Opens a School and Speaks Democracy to Power
LeBron James' new I Promise School is about more than just a rich athlete using his money for a good cause, writes Jonathan E. Collins.
Education Funding
Is LeBron James' New School Really the First of Its Kind?
The LeBron James Family Foundation has partnered with Akron Public Schools to create a school for at-risk students with a STEM-focused curriculum and extensive wrap-around services.
College & Workforce Readiness
Walmart Foundation Grant Aims to Boost Diversity in Capitol Hill Internships
The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute will split $2 million to help interns cover living expenses and other costs.
School Choice & Charters
Fired KIPP Co-Founder Mike Feinberg to Help Start New Schools
After being fired from KIPP over allegations of sexual misconduct, the network's co-founder Michael Feinberg is launching a new organization called the Texas School Venture Fund that will help set up new schools in the state.
Education Funding
Opinion
How Education Philanthropy Can Accidentally Promote Groupthink and Bandwagonism
One of the nice things about summer is that it's a good time for reflection. One thing I found myself thinking about is the role philanthropy plays in the work we do, especially in the aftermath of RAND's harsh evaluation of Gates' Effective Teacher Initiative.
School Choice & Charters
How the Janus Decision Could Fuel the Growth of Charter Schools and Vouchers
In the bruising arena of school choice and electoral politics, teachers' unions have long been the primary opposition to efforts to expand charter schools and vouchers at the ballot box.
Teacher Preparation
'An Expensive Experiment': Gates Teacher-Effectiveness Program Shows No Gains for Students
An evaluation of a multi-year effort by the Gates Foundation to improve teaching, which cost $575 million, found no evidence the program improved student outcomes or gave low-income and minority students greater access to effective teachers.
Education Funding
Letter to the Editor
Gates Foundation Ignores Poverty's Hold on Student Performance
To The Editor:
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation wants to "diagnose the root cause of poor performance" by investing $68 million to expand education grantmaking abroad ("The Gates Foundation's Education Plans Go International," Curriculum Matters blog, June 3, 2018). But we already know what causes poor performance. Study after study over many decades has concluded that poverty is the culprit.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation wants to "diagnose the root cause of poor performance" by investing $68 million to expand education grantmaking abroad ("The Gates Foundation's Education Plans Go International," Curriculum Matters blog, June 3, 2018). But we already know what causes poor performance. Study after study over many decades has concluded that poverty is the culprit.
School Choice & Charters
Denver Charter School Network Wins Broad Prize for Closing Achievement Gaps
The Broad Prize was launched by billionaire philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad. The winner was announced at the National Charter Schools Conference in Austin, the largest gathering of charter advocates and leaders in the country.
Education Funding
News in Brief
Education Philanthropy Thrives With Three New Commitments
Three philanthropies have announced multimillion-dollar initiatives geared toward improving education in the United States and, in one instance, abroad.
School & District Management
Gates, Zuckerberg Team Up to Craft New Ideas for Schools
In a new Request for Information, two of the most powerful groups in education philanthropy jointly seek ideas to improve students' math and writing skills, and "executive functions."