"Kappan"'s editor talks with Michigan State University's Sarah Reckhow about her research into the ways wealthy private philanthropies have influenced K-12 education in recent years. As Reckhow explains, not only have Gates, Broad, Walton, and other big foundations spent unprecedented amounts of money to support their favored reform strategies--such as expanding the charter school sector, raising academic standards, and evaluating teachers' effectiveness--but they've maximized their influence by coordinating their messages, funneling their money to specific states and districts, pushing for changes in state and federal policy, and (most recently) contributing to local school board candidates.