March 12, 2009 | Read Time: 1 minute
The philanthropist Eli Broad this week discussed his role in helping to reshape public schools in New York and elsewhere.
According to Gotham Schools, a Web site that reports on education in New York, Mr. Broad talked about his close relationship with the head of the city’s school system and also mentioned that some of his foundation’s staff members will be working for Arne Duncan, the new secretary of education.
Later during the event at the 92nd Street Y, Mr. Broad discussed the failure of his foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to get more attention for education issues during last year’s presidential campaign. The effort was known as “Ed in 08.”
“About Ed in 08, Broad said simply, ‘We didn’t succeed,’” writes Philissa Cramer, a reporter for Gotham Schools. “He said that while candidates adopted pieces of the campaign’s platform, it failed to make inroads in the national consciousness. ‘It amazes me that the American people don’t get it,’ he said.”
Read The Chronicle’s article about the problems with Ed in 08 and a recent Give & Take post about Mr. Broad’s possible role with other donors in a fight to change the D.C. public school system.
During the event, Mr. Broad also made headlines by saying that foundations should buy the Los Angeles Times.
What do you think of Mr. Broad’s efforts to change education?
