Posts published on July 25, 2013

New Book on For Profit Postsecondary Education

In their new book Private Enterprise and Public Education, Michael B. Horn of the Clayton Christensen Institute and Frederick M. Hess of the American Enterprise Institute facilitate a thoughtful discussion among education leaders on how for-profit education providers can promote quality and cost-effectiveness at scale. The contributors note that for-profits have unique strengths, including the ability to move more nimbly, readily attract capital and talent, and scale more rapidly. But they are not without their weaknesses. For-profits may also be less rooted in community institutions, less stable, and more willing to cut services or personnel.

 Horn and Hess conclude that, given sensible policies and quality control mechanisms, policymakers can leverage the power of for-profit innovation and investment to better serve students.

 

National Commission On College Governance Created

The Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges announced the formation of a national commission to review how schools are governed and make recommendations for change. Former Tennessee Governor Philip N. Bredesen Jr. will lead the commission, which will be made up of college presidents and board members, business leaders, faculty representatives, association leaders, and experts. (Washington Post, 07/24/13)