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Influential Organizations

The Editorial Projects in Education Research Center, with support from the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation, has conducted a study of the factors that have influenced the educational policy landscape during the past decade.

The most influential organizations represent an assortment of non-profit, governmental, membership, and philanthropic institutions.

The top places in this leading group are occupied by two government entities and one philanthropic organization. All three finish in a virtual dead heat with scores between 98 and 100 points. The U.S. Congress, the branch of government holding primary authority for enacting education legislation, finishes in first place. Coming in a close second (with 99 points) is the U.S. Department of Education, the executive branch agency responsible for implementing federal policy and programs as well as coordinating with state and local education agencies. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation occupies the third spot on the survey for its work on American high schools.

How the influential organizations rank:

(Click on an organization to download its influence report in PDF format; a new window will open.)

1. U.S. Congress
2. U.S. Department of Education
3. Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
4. Education Trust
5. National Governors Association
6. American Federation of Teachers
7. (tie) Achieve, Inc.
7. (tie) National Education Assocation
9. Thomas B. Fordham Foundation
10. Center on Education Policy

Do you agree with this list? What organizations would you have included?

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Responses
Response From: SF Education 12/15/2006 10:52AM
Teach For America should be included. They are working both on the ground level in the classrooms and thier alumni are assuming leadership roles in education and other fields.
Response From: Dorothy Lacey 12/15/2006 1:18PM
It is a troubleing thing that so amny of the influencial organizations are not really educational groups. They don't have the experience, time or knowledge to make really important decisions. Some fields are very specialized, like special Education. These kids need all the help we can give them, and as a teacher I feel many times that these kids don't really matter much to the powers that be. There is so much they do'nt know or understand.
Response From: Mary Ann Gundersen/Executive Editor 12/19/2006 9:19AM
I have found ASCD to be an extremely important organization and their Smartbrief (daily newsletter) to be an excellent source of education information. I was sorry not to see them on your list.
Response From: Hal Portner, consultant/author 12/19/2006 1:53PM
Organizations that seek to improve and enhance the quality of teachers and teaching in systematic, comprehensive, coherent and sustained ways would be a welcome addition to your list. Such organizations include, for example, the National Staff Development Council and the New Teachers Center.
Response From: T.J. Lee-St. John 01/29/2007 11:50AM
How are rank "scores" calculated?
Response From: Patrick Miller, EPE Research Center 02/01/2007 2:43PM
The methodology of the rankings is available in the full report, which can be found here: http://www.edweek.org/rc/articles/2006/12/13/influentials.html In short, the rankings are based on a two-tiered expert survey, with some other statistical gyrations thrown in. The more technical (and longer) explaination is in the report.