The notion of entrepreneurship remains little understood in K-12 education, even as an unprecedented wave of entrepreneurs works to refashion schooling. Developments like charter schooling, alternative teacher licensure, supplemental education services, and distance learning have created new opportunities and controversy. Entering the breach, entrepreneurs have launched nationally influential programs like the KIPP schools, Teach For America, New Leaders for New Schools, Aspire Public Schools, the New Teacher Project, and Edison Schools.

This conference will examine the nature, landscape, successes, and limitations of educational entrepreneurship. The research will raise important questions and provide practical guidance for entrepreneurs, educators, and policymakers. Researchers and respondents will examine what it means to be an entrepreneur in the education sector; how educational policy, law, and practice shape entrepreneurial efforts; the prevalence and nature of the for-profit presence in education; the promise and perils of entrepreneurial ventures; and what lessons experience may teach for harnessing entrepreneurial energy.

 

8:15 a.m.	Registration and Breakfast
8:45	Welcome:	Frederick M. Hess, AEI
9:00	Panel I: Understanding Entrepreneurship
	Presenters:	Kim Smith, NewSchools Venture Fund
		Paul Teske, University of Colorado at Denver
	Discussants:	Jon Schnur, New Leaders for New Schools
		Kent McGuire, Temple University College of Education
		Nina Rees, U.S. Department of Education
10:30	Break
10:45	Panel II: The Landscape of Entrepreneurship
	Presenters:
		Henry Levin, Columbia University Teachers College
		Patrick McGuinn, Drew University
	Discussants:	Barnett Helzberg, Jr., Shirley & Barnett Helzberg Foundation William Roberti, Alvarez & Marsal, LLC  Eric Adler, The SEED Foundation
12:15 p.m.	Luncheon
1:05	Panel III: Models of Entrepreneurship
	Presenters:	Robert Maranto, Villanova University
		Joe Williams, New York Daily News
		Steven Wilson, Harvard University
	Discussants:	Michelle Rhee, The New Teacher Project
		Larry Berger, Wireless Generation
2:40	Break
2:55	Panel IV: The For-Profit Question
	Presenters:	Alex Molnar, Arizona State University
		Adam Newman, Eduventures, Inc.
	Discussants:	Jeffrey Cohen, Catapult Learning
		Nancy Van Meter, American Federation of Teachers James Shelton, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
4:25	Break
4:40	Panel V: Unleashing Educational Entrepreneurship
	Presenters:	Larry Cuban, Stanford University
		John Chubb, Edison Schools
	Discussants:	Larry Rosenstock, High Tech High
		Joel Klein, New York City Department of Education
		Rod Paige, former U.S. Secretary of Education
6:15	Reception
7:15	Adjournment