Officials with the powerful political network led by conservative billionaire Charles Koch say they are promoting a state-level education strategy that they hope educators and teachers’ unions will support.
The Koch network was expected to launch a new group this month that will focus on 15 million K-12 students in five unnamed states. No details on the policy priorities were offered, but officials said the initiative will focus on curriculum, technology, and uniting a broad coalition that will include outreach to teachers.
The announcement was made during a private retreat for wealthy donors who have committed to giving at least $100,000 annually to the sprawling Koch network of political, policy, educational, and philanthropic organizations.
The Koch network said school choice will likely be one of a dozen or more priorities of the new initiative but said it’s too early to discuss its comprehensive policy agenda.
Some teachers in recent years have been vocal about rejecting the money and influence of billionaire philanthropists in the education system, especially when it comes to steering public money toward private and charter schools.
