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On Good Policy, Good Business, and Good Opportunities
Voices From Education Industry Days
By: Steve Drake, Principal, Steven Drake Associates, LLC.
Published: March 18, 2011
Below Enterprising Educators takes readers on a whirlwind tour of just some of the nuggets of wisdom, insight and creativity presented during EIA's recent 11th Annual Education Industry Days Conference, attended by over 125 education entrepreneurs. For access to the presentations of most speakers, you need to be an EIA member and visit our website at www.educationindustry.org . Not yet a member? You can join online anytime and begin your access to the site immediately.
Published: March 18, 2011
Below Enterprising Educators takes readers on a whirlwind tour of just some of the nuggets of wisdom, insight and creativity presented during EIA's recent 11th Annual Education Industry Days Conference, attended by over 125 education entrepreneurs. For access to the presentations of most speakers, you need to be an EIA member and visit our website at www.educationindustry.org . Not yet a member? You can join online anytime and begin your access to the site immediately.
- On the timing of ESEA reauthorization from the Congressional Staff panel: Contrast what one Chamber says -- "We have 12 new members to orient and get their views and we don't want to set any arbitrary time lines to re-write NCLB" -- with what the other Chamber says -- "We will have a bill out of Committee by late Spring and on the Floor by late summer." All staff agreed that the debate will re-set the appropriate role in federal education policy and will focus on accountability, more flexibility at local level, parental options, and use high quality/research-based interventions to help struggling students and schools.
- On educator accountability: "Isn't it time that we provide a safety net for the students instead of a safety net for the teachers' union?" --Jeanne Allen, Founder and President, Center for Education Reform, in accepting the EIA Friend of the Education Industry Award sponsored by Michael R. Sandler.
- On the impact of the mid-term elections: "The underlying politics have really changed and the freshman Republicans really mean business when it comes to cutting spending, the deficit and local control." And, when commenting on the attitude of public officials towards for-profit service providers ... "They don't like you!" --Andrew Rotherham, Bellweather Education, during "From the Outside Looking In - Observations from Education Policy Observers".
- On finding federal funding for your good idea or effective project: "Remember that it's all about the effectiveness of your relationships with public education entities at the state and district level." --Christina Culver, CH Global Strategies, during "Strategies for Federal Funding for the PreK-12 Education Industry".
- On your exit strategy: "There has never been an excellent education business launched with a clear-cut exit strategy. And that's a good thing." --John Stuppy, EDUMETRIX, during "Growing, Funding and Selling Your Business".
- On the promise of e-learning and the receptivity of school officials: "Superintendents nationwide are struggling with improving student performance, maintaining flexibility and holding down costs. The successful e-learning service providers will be able to pivot and serve their partners in these tough times" --Joseph Olchefske, Educate Online, during "Growth and Opportunities in E-Learning".
- On opportunities in school turn-around: "Industry can be architects of change but the work of school improvement is really tough and not for everyone." --Michael Connelly, Mosaica Education, during "Growth and Opportunities in School Turn-Around".
- On SES: "High-quality providers are knocking it out of the park and we need to reward those organizations." --Scott Pearson, U.S. Department of Education.
Pictured L to R: General Session, Dr. Connie Hathorn, Joseph Olchefske, EIA Members Networking in Lobby, Scott Drossos, Governer Bob Wise, Christina Culver, Kim Fleming, Jeff Trinca, Michael R. Sandler, Jeanne Allen, Keith Castaldo.
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About the Contributor
Steve Drake
Steve Drake provides corporations, small businesses, non-profits and government agencies with targeted, expert and cost-effective communications, marketing and business development strategy and implementation. He holds both a Master’s and Bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland, where he currently serves as an adjunct professor in the Department of Communication. He speaks and writes on a range of communications topics, including public relations in China, international public relations, and strategic thinking.
Phone: 301-680-0585
Email: sdrake@verizon.net
Phone: 301-680-0585
Email: sdrake@verizon.net