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MAY 2004In This Issue
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Center (CCC) for Corporate Citizenship 2004 Partnership Conference: Business & K-12 Education PartnershipsThe 2004 CCC Partnership Conference, an annual Center for Corporate Citizenship (CCC) event, addressed the content, structure, and effectiveness of Business & K-12 Education Partnerships. In an effort to help national business and education leaders plan next steps accordingly, the conference included issue analysis, interactive discussions, information gathering, partnership development and other opportunities for companies seeking to improve their support for K-12 education. NASSMC Program Officers Jane George and Jessica Venable attended this conference in Washington, D.C. Why did the U.S. Chamber of Commerce host this event? Education is the number one social issue that companies support and believe they should be involved in. In addition, education ranks third (after health care and homeland security) of all social issues that companies believe have long-term impact on their business.
One of the most pervasive discussion points was that businesses, especially small- and medium-sized industries, are frustrated by a desire to help education but lack an understanding of how to do so. Many attendees called for increased involvement of the U.S. and local Chambers of Commerce to help develop and mediate much needed business and education partnerships. Former Governor of North Carolina James B. Hunt noted that business involvement in education seems to have crested three to five years ago, and urged the Chamber to play a more active role in regaining some of that momentum. Consider working with your state or local Chamber of Commerce. You can find a directory of them here: Speakers and panelists included Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Eugene Hickok, Deputy U.S. Secretary of Education; James H. Shelton, III, Program Director, Education, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; William E. Milliken, President, Communities in Schools, Inc.; and others from partnership service organizations, non profits, government, and corporate sectors. The event featured presentations and case studies on business and K-12 education partnerships from corporate and education leaders, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Communities In Schools Inc., GlaxoSmithKline, Junior Achievement, NewSchools Venture Fund, State Farm Insurance Companies, Sun Microsystems, Target, Toyota, and the U.S. Department of Education. Other presenters highlighted the need for business and education to collaboratively define and pursue the means for long-term engagement. Jim Peyser of the NewSchools Venture Fund echoed the sentiments of the Deputy Secretary, stating that business has to think about transforming the district rather than simply helping the district. David Chernow of Junior Achievement stressed that a workable partnership must include a mutually understood and well-articulated vision of what the partnership is, a definition of what will be the return on success, and a willingness to measure that return. Learn more about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce: http://www.uschamber.com Featured Resource: The Education Policy Fellowship ProgramAre you interested in gaining more experience in education policymaking? Sponsored by the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL) the Education Policy Fellowship Program is a 10-month, in-service leadership development opportunity designed to prepare mid-level leaders in public and private organizations for greater responsibility in creating and implementing sound public policy in education and related fields. Program activities concentrate on developing leaders, increasing leaders' knowledge, and building a leadership network. The program combines events of national scope with activities specific to each of 12 state sites across the country for approximately 200 Fellows each year. Program activities normally begin in October and end in June. Applications are accepted through late summer. If you are interested in participating, please go to http://www.iel.org/programs/epfp/join.html to find out how to join the program. New 2004 NASA Explorer Schools AnnouncedThe NASA Explorer Schools (NES) program has again partnered 50 school teams with NASA for a three-year period to participate in real-life experiences that inspire and excite students' imaginations. The goal is to improve scientific literacy and spark student interest in pursuing careers in science, technology and engineering by participating in authentic experiences with NASA science and technology and applying NASA science, mathematics, and technology knowledge to real-world issues and problems. "We're counting on the next generation of explorers to help carry the torch of exploration to the farthest regions of the universe," said NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. Coalitions are encouraged to contact the new NASA Explorer Schools. Click here to view the entire list and find the NASA Explorer Schools in your state:
www.nassmc.org
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