NCRP to Hold Philamplify Debate: Do Charter Schools, Vouchers Help Underserved Students?
Join education philanthropists and activists at this D.C. event and online
WASHINGTON, Sept. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy (NCRP) will be holding the first-ever Philamplify Debate, "Reform Strategies for Education" on September 29. Before a live audience in Washington, D.C., at the Pew Charitable Trusts, and over a free webcast, our presenters will tackle the question: "Can Market-Oriented Reform Strategies Advance Equity and Empowerment in Education?"
Brandon Johnson, deputy policy director at the Chicago Teachers Union and Robert Pondiscio, senior fellow and vice president for external affairs at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute will debate whether charter schools, vouchers and other market-oriented strategies help a significant proportion of underserved students to succeed. A panel of leaders from the philanthropic sector will then offer reactions and responses to their remarks. The panelists include: Lori Bezahler, president of the Edward W. Hazen Foundation; Deborah McGriff, managing director of the New Schools Venture Fund; and Jennifer Esterline, project consultant for Texas Education Grantmakers Advocacy Consortium. Sherece West-Scantlebury, president and CEO of Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, and president of NCRP's board, will moderate.
For more information about our debaters and panelists, visit Philamplify.org.
This question is inspired by NCRP's recent report on the Walton Family Foundation (WFF) through its Philamplify initiative. The assessment found that, while WFF's market-based strategies have worked well in achieving its environmental conservation goals, stakeholders disagree about whether a similar approach to education helps achieve widespread equity.
"As the Walton Family Foundation report details, there is significant controversy and disagreement about market-based approaches to education reform," said NCRP Executive Director Aaron Dorfman. "We're excited to make this important issue the subject of our first Philamplify debate."
The debate will be an opportunity for the philanthropic sector to delve into the advantages and disadvantages of charters and vouchers compared to non-market oriented approaches to K-12 education, such as reinvesting in public neighborhood schools. We invite those attending to weigh in on who "wins" the debate on social media.
Event Details:
WHO: Brandon Johnson, Chicago Teachers Union, debater
Robert Pondiscio, Thomas B. Fordham Institute, debater
Sherece West-Scantlebury, Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation, moderator
Lori Bezahler, Hazen Foundation, panelist
Deborah McGriff, New Schools Venture Fund, panelist
Jennifer Esterline, Texas Education Grantmakers Advocacy Consortium, panelist
Lisa Ranghelli, NCRP, closing remarks
WHERE: The Pew Charitable Trusts
Carolina Room
901 E Street NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20004
and Online
WHEN: Tuesday, September 2
Debate: 3:00-4:30 pm
Reception with complimentary beer and wine: 4:30-5:30 pm
The event is free with limited seats and is open to the media.
Register nowhttps://www.eventbrite.com/e/ncrp-philamplify-debate-reform-strategies-for-education-tickets-18293318809 to attend in person or online.
About Philamplify
Conducted by top-notch researchers, Philamplify's foundation assessments provide a comprehensive examination of a foundation's grantmaking and operations. The reports incorporate the opinions shared by the foundation's grantees, peers and other stakeholders, and offer recommendations designed to maximize foundation effectiveness. Philamplify.org users can comment on and agree or disagree with these recommendations and nominate foundations they want "philamplified."
In May, NCRP released its assessment of the Walton Family Foundation. Previous assessments include reports on the Hess Foundation, The California Endowment, Daniels Fund, the Lumina Foundation for Education, Robert W. Woodruff Foundation and William Penn Foundation. Additional assessments covering other top U.S. foundations will roll out in the coming months.
About NCRP
Since 1976, NCRP has served as the voice of nonprofits and the communities they serve in philanthropy. Through research and advocacy, NCRP works to ensure that philanthropy contributes in meaningful ways to the creation of a fair, just and equitable world. Visit www.ncrp.org for more information.
SOURCE National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy
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