Business leaders can put a lasting imprint on education policy, according to a report released this month by the American Enterprise Institute, a Washington think tank.
The specifics of a strong partnership between the business community and education vary, the report says, but businesses seeking to have a significant impact on their local schools should embrace certain strategies. They include developing a sustained partnership rather than just getting involved for brief periods, hiring an expert point-person who understands K-12 policy and can develop a relationship with district leaders, and being willing to engage in policy issues and political debates.