edbizbuzz
Public education’s core functions are teaching and learning, an endeavor in which private enterprise plays a growing role. Edbizbuzz was an opinion blog offering a perspective on this emerging school improvement industry. This blog is no longer being updated.
School & District Management
Opinion
Making Sense of School Improvement Program Evaluations (II): The Case of TEEM
We know from other research that outcomes relate to the quality of implementation and implementation relates to the quality of teacher and agency support.The products and services are not pills; they are programs. If teachers don't like them, if administrators won't provide the support, their benefits are purely theoretical.
Education
Opinion
The Letter From: Three "E's" In The School Improvement Industry's Year Ahead
On the whole, 2007 will be a difficult year for school improvement providers. I expect neither a catastrophe, nor a cakewalk. Today’s best school improvement providers will eke out some growth in sales, the least sustainable may go out of business.
School & District Management
Opinion
School Improvement RFP of the Week (2)
The Administration has requested $117,666,000 for awards for the Early Reading First program for FY 2008, of which we intend to use an estimated $116,489,340 for this competition.
School & District Management
Opinion
School Improvement of RFP of the Week (1)
The rationale for requiring schools districts to be part of a teacher induction program application is obvious. Why their partners must be universities, government agencies or nonprofits is not.
Education
Opinion
Friday Guest Column: Hey Buddy…Can You Spare A Teacher with a Master’s Degree?
I needed to provide more services with fewer resources, and I needed to do it quickly,” Dr. Van Handel said.... So he sought help from a surprising source -- teachers with postgraduate degrees, half a world away in India.
Education
Opinion
The Letter From: Staying In With the Outs
Industry access to Washington policy is predominately through Republican and conservative doors. Until that changes, we are subject to “material” political risk.... Our trade groups need to attract Democrats, while maintaining ties to Republicans. The industry must create a political base pegged on the vital center.
School & District Management
Opinion
K-12Lead of the Week
The demand for third party school improvement program evaluation services will only grow over the next decade.
School & District Management
Opinion
It's Not Over 'Til...: Making Sense of the Districts New Central Office Firings Law
The new version of the DC law strikes me as an awkward attempt to split the difference between the pure "at will" employment status the Mayor and and Chancellor want for the Central Office staff, and the constitutional entitlement they have to their jobs today. (Is that another way of saying it combines northern charm with southern efficiency?)
School & District Management
Opinion
It's Not Over 'Til...: The Continuing Saga of Plans to Fire DC’s Central Office
I never intended to get into the District of Columbia Public Schools reorganization mess to the extent I have. The more I learned, the more I thought that Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s strategy, and Mayor Adrian Fenty’s support, offered a great opportunity to explore school district management. There’s something important to be learned out on the bleeding edge.
School & District Management
Opinion
Making Sense of School Improvement Program Evaluations: The Case of TEEM
When the stakes are perhaps several decades of expenses associated with the education of every Texas preschooler, prudent decision makers should establish a timetable of and conditions for “go/no go” decisions.
Education
Opinion
The Letter From: Industry Fragmentation (III): Coping Strategies
There are many routes to competitive advantage in a fragmented market but, if fragmentation is structural, consolidation is not one. Providers will need to develop coping strategies, accept sub-par returns, or exit.
School & District Management
Opinion
K-12Lead of the Week
Each school may apply for up to $1,000 per classroom teacher and one principal or assistant principal per school for physical education professional development not to exceed $30,000 per school....
School & District Management
Opinion
In Case You’ve Never Seen a “Wired” RFP
Apparently the purchasing office decided the work could not be justified as a sole source contract, and so constructed this erstaz competition.
Education
Opinion
In Case You Are Following The Debate Here Over DC School Reform
An in-depth response to reader comments on my December 13 posting.