The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a philanthropic organization created by the Microsoft founder and his wife in 2000, has already invested nearly a billion dollars in an effort to redesign the American high school. It supports some 1,500 existing schools; 450 of them are either restructured or brand new. But the foundation's focus was not…

The contributions that business and industry can make to help colleges and universities maintain high standards of teaching, scholarship, and research are considered. Four recent studies that address the deterioration in educational standards are noted, and the problems that confront colleges and universities are identified. It is suggested that…

The National Endowment for the Humanities is criticized for not providing greater leadership both within the government and among potential sources of private financial support for the humanities. (MSE)

The Panasonic Foundation made the improvement of elementary and secondary education its primary mission. The article describes its partnership program which involved it in long-term, intensive relationships with urban school districts. Evaluation of the partnership indicates it has been central in promoting reflective thinking and educational…

Conservative critiques of higher education rely on liberal doses of cash. Behind the conservative critique of U.S. higher education is a fervent commitment to ideals, to be sure--but there's also a sizable amount of conservative cash. The Bradley, Earhart, Castle Rock, and John M. Olin foundations have contributed lavishly to guidebooks aimed at…

Private foundations are attempting to move away from educational reform approaches based on model development. The limits of the "Johnny Appleseed" (sowing seed and moving on) mode of grantmaking are coming clear. Persistence--a willingness to commit resources to an issue or institution for 5 to 10 years--will need to be an operating…

Service-learning has the power to transform K-12 and higher education and local communities. This paper details three suppositions about service-learning and community action based on experiences working with K-12 and higher education: (1) service-learning works best when it covers an overarching theme, (2) multiple models for working with K-12…

This document presents the annual report of the Danforth Foundation. Emphasis is placed on the history of the Foundation, trustees, administration, and consultants; president's statement; higher education; precollegiate education; urban affairs; operational procedures and practices; limitations to the grant-making of the Foundation; grants; and…

Discusses why government school vouchers actually represent a setback to school reform and only contribute to diminishing school autonomy and distinctiveness. Argues use of a privately funded voucher system or precollege scholarship approach as feasible alternatives for educating low-income children. Alternatives include the need for tax relief,…

Pressures on the direction of dental education include recommendations of several important reports, changes in academic health centers in response to health care reform, and expectations of parent universities. Reactions to these pressures are changing the nature and extent of scientific research in dental schools. As educational programs evolve,…

One of several articles on George Peabody, who made the largest educational benefaction ever in his time, notes how Peabody set the pattern for modern large-scale philanthropy. The article examines Peabody's history as a businessman, philanthropist, and master teacher worldwide and discusses his influence on museums and libraries. (SM)

Health education is subject to evolutionary waves of change. The paper describes three past waves (program development, evaluation, and maintenance) and discusses a fourth, program ownership, which has yet to become a significant force. Implications for future waves are highlighted. (SM)

Discusses philanthropy and President Bush's America 2000 education reform package, suggesting its focus on the economic imperative of education is insufficient regarding U.S. ethical, social, and spiritual challenges. It notes philanthropy must calibrate its efforts to widen the discourse of reform and reinvigorate a sense of community in U.S.…

Describes how the San Diego Unified School District has worked with numerous philanthropic organizations for educational reform and provides suggestions for school districts and foundations interested in working together for public school reform. Provides pertinent information on the foundations that worked with San Diego. (SM)

In the 1930s, educational leaders in New Mexico turned to the General Education Board (originally created to assist southern African-American students) for philanthropic aid, envisioning reforms geared to the needs of Hispanic students. The board's sponsorship allowed great latitude to some very innovative educators who were sensitive to cultural…