Prodded by an outpouring of philanthropic and federal largess, school districts and even some states are downsizing public high schools to combat high dropout rates and low levels of student achievement, especially in big- city school systems. For longtime proponents of small schools, the upswell in support for their ideas is making for heady…

This article uses social movement theory to analyse campaigns against a new type of government-sponsored school--the Academy--in four areas of England. It seeks to identify the social composition of anti-Academy campaigns, to track their encounters with proponents of the new schools and to describe the characteristic forms of their campaigning…

The author argues that school reform is the major goal of a business-education partnership. He states that the private sector needs a formal, synergistic mechanism through which it can channel its resources into local schools in a systematic manner to promote educational improvement and human resource and economic development. (CH)

Because their resources are inadequate, philanthropic foundations cannot bring about educational reform by themselves. Foundations are best when serving as midwives, parking garages, conversations pits, burning glasses (to focus thought), levers, and lighthouse tenders. The American people are responsible for acting voluntarily to support public…

New concentrations of wealth in the United States have not been accompanied by increased private philanthropy for higher education. To inspire large gifts, college development professionals must build a compelling case for transforming education. (MSE)

"Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress" is a biweekly newsletter that focuses on education news and events both in Washington, DC and around the country. The following articles are included in this issue: (1) Senators Introduce Graduation Promise Act: New Legislation Would Target Lowest-Performing High Schools; (2)…

In September 2007 the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado State Board of Education jointly announced the launch of "Forward Thinking", an ambitious plan "to create a purpose-driven and dynamic system of educational leadership, service and support that relentlessly focuses on the learning of all students." The…

The best-known model for large-scale private giving to foster education reform is Walter Annenberg's $500 million gift to U.S. public education in 1993. The biggest chunk of this money was used to fund challenge grants in the nine largest U.S. cities. The three case studies and commentary in this report evaluate the success of the Annenberg…

Focusing on Chicago Public Schools (Illinois), explores issues related to philanthropy's role in the development of arts education policy. Discusses the relationship among philanthropic organizations and the core curriculum; the impact of research; preservice teacher training, and economic development and arts education. Offers recommendations for…

Discusses why school-business interactions are not evaluated, emphasizing the importance of evaluation given the avowed purposes and intended beneficiaries of the interactions. An overview of educational evaluation is presented, noting the power of evaluation to simultaneously document what must be changed and engage participants in working toward…

The massive increase in private support of public education improvement brought important changes in the relationship between donors and applicants. The article describes the changes, noting the range of donor interests and decision-making processes. A section on lessons, trends, and dilemmas explains where the philanthropic field is headed and…

The dynamics of the university systems in low income countries have changed drastically in the last three decades, and suggest directions in which higher education might be heading. Financing which depends more heavily on private resources and user contributions is the only feasible approach for reducing existing inefficiency and increasing…

The percentage of foundation support to elementary and secondary level schools from both corporate and private sources is increasing. Projects that call for systemwide reform and/or are collaborative are more likely to be funded. Offers tips and tactics for seeking grants. (MLF)

Explores the future of higher education in the United States and the role of competitive forces by examining four central areas of contest and contradiction: market models, nonprofit form, convergence of nonprofit and for-profit institutional behavior, and the role of public colleges and universities as political institutions. (EV)

The writers call for foundations and educational institutions to build their programs around the goal of increasing educational capital through more open and accountable forms of education grant-making and educational activity. Recognizing that education needs philanthropic foundations to enliven imagination, spur improvements and test solutions;…