The most intriguing and daring ventures in K-12 education today are the efforts to reimagine the way American schoolchildren learn. Entrepreneurial ventures like Teach For America, the KIPP Academies, New Leaders for New Schools, and High Tech High are reinventing the definition and delivery methods of public education. Yet these innovative programs have been hindered by difficulties in raising financial resources, finding talented employees, and overcoming regulatory barriers to entry into schools and districts.
 
AEI’s director of education policy studies, Frederick M. Hess, has commissioned a dozen scholars, education practitioners, and business analysts to examine this new entrepreneurial sector in education as well as the obstacles that prevent the creation of promising new ventures. By offering strategies to facilitate the growth and success of new education providers, the authors address how the entrepreneurial sector (composed of policymakers, practitioners, and philanthropists) can invigorate, complement, or replace the work of traditional schools and districts.

Contributing authors will present their findings at this daylong research conference, and an array of discussants will join the discussion. This conference and project were funded by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

For a link to the second part of the video, please click here.

8:30 a.m.	Registration
9:00	Introduction:	Frederick M. Hess, AEI
9:10	Panel I:	The Role of Entrepreneurship in Education
	Presenter:	Stig Leschly, SRL Capital Management
	Discussants:	Morgan Brown, US Department of Education Michelle Rhee, DC Public Schools Elliott Sainer, Aspen Education Group Jon Schnur, New Leaders for New Schools
10:30	Break
10:40	Panel II:	Addressing the Human Capital Challenge
	Presenters:	Christopher Gergen, New Mountain Ventures
		Bryan C. Hassel, Public Impact
	Discussants:	David Harris, The Mind Trust Sharon Robinson, American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
		Larry Rosenstock, High Tech High
12:00 p.m.	Luncheon
12:50	Panel III:	Addressing the Financial Capital Challenge
	Presenters:	Daniel Pianko, Knowledge Investment Partners
		Kim Smith, NewSchools Venture Fund
	Discussant:	Jim Shelton, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
		Nelson Smith, National Alliance for Public Charter Schools
2:05	Break
2:15	Panel IV:	Addressing Barriers and Changing Policy
	Presenters:	Larry Berger, Wireless Generation
		Ed Kirby, Walton Family Foundation
	Discussants:	Don Shalvey, Aspire Public Schools
		Laura Smith, New York City Schools
3:30	Break
3:40	Panel V:	Making Supply-Side Reform Work
	Presenters:	Anthony Bryk, Stanford University
		Matt Candler, New Schools for New Orleans
		Chester E. Finn Jr., Thomas B. Fordham Foundation
	Discussants:	Wendy Kopp, Teach for America
		Chris Whittle, Edison Schools
5:10	Wine and Cheese Reception