CER News Alert

CER LEADERS FORUM LOOKS AT HOW BUSINESS CAN MATTER, 
Focus on How Business Delivers Better Schools

(Washington, DC 9/5/00) The recent explosion of business and entrepreneurial investment in education will be examined September 11th at the Second Annual Leaders Forum, sponsored by the Center for Education Reform.

        From private sector operation of public schools, to charter schools, to the creation of venture capital education funds, the impact of business involvement will be considered by a host of educational entrepreneurs, business and policy experts at the forum to be held in Washington, D.C.

        Among the national leaders to be showcased are:

• Connie Jones, Ph.D., Core Knowledge President. 
  After more than 23 years as an elementary educator and principal, Dr. Jones lead the first field-test of the Core-Knowledge Sequence. She works with schools and school districts helping them implement the Core Knowledge program into their own systems. 
• Don Shalvey, Ed.D., Co-Founder and CEO of Aspire Public Schools. 
  Aspire is a not-for-profit charter school organization founded to enrich students' lives by the creation of high performance charter schools. 
• Kim Smith, Founding President of New Schools Venture Fund. 
  This venture capital fund was created by technology venture capitalists and entrepreneurs to improve public education by investing in education entrepreneurs.
• Chris Whittle, Edison Schools Founder and CEO. 
  Edison Schools is one of the country's leading private manager of public schools.

        "The purpose of the Leaders Forum is to bring leaders who represent a wide variety of backgrounds to talk to leaders who can make a difference here in D.C. and nationally," said CER president Jeanne Allen. "We would like to focus on the contributions of business leaders and entrepreneurs. There is a need to bolster support among business leaders and we will share and spread the stories of these leaders in the field."

        Lessons from the Front: Business Delivers Better Schools will take place Monday, September 11, 2000 from 12 pm - 4 pm at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel in Washington, D.C. 

        The forum is preceded by a special tour of some local District charter schools. Link to: Online slideshow of Local Leaders Forum tour of Edison-Friendship Public Charter School Chamberlain Campus.

 For more information or to make your reservation, contact Mary Kayne Heinze at the Center by calling (202) 822-9000.

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The Center for Education Reform [CER] is a national, independent, non-profit advocacy organization providing support and guidance to individuals, community and civic groups, policymakers and others who are working to bring fundamental reforms to their schools. For additional information on education reform please call CER at (202) 822-9000.

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