BHEF addresses education issues fundamental to our nation's ability to compete globally. BHEF members are driving change "on the ground." They develop, adopt and promote best practices and strategic approaches among corporate, education and foundation leaders, nationally and locally.
BHEF In the News
BHEF's ISIE a Major Success
BHEF is pleased to announce that our inaugural Institute for Strategic Investment in Education (ISIE): Maximizing the Impact of Corporate Philanthropy was a huge success. Over 45 corporate philanthropy and private foundation leaders convened in Cambridge, Massachusetts April 3-5 to share ideas on improving the effectiveness of education investments. The ISIE was cosponsored by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and supported by the Goldman Sachs Foundation.
Members: Register Now for Summer 2008 Meeting
For other recent news and events, see News.
Recent News & Events
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June 2008
BHEF Announces New Leadership
BHEF is pleased to announce its new leadership for 2008-2010. David J. Skorton, President of Cornell University, will lead the organization as its new chairman, and William H. Swanson, Chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company, will serve as vice chairman.
Dr. Skorton succeeds former TIAA-CREF Chairman, President and CEO, Herbert M. Allison, Jr., who chaired BHEF from 2006 to 2008. Mr. Swanson succeeds Dr. Skorton as vice chairman. Skorton and Swanson are joined by several other newly elected members of BHEF’s executive committee: Warren Baker, President, California Polytechnic State University; Wes Bush, President & COO, Northrop Grumman Corporation; Christine DeVita, President, The Wallace Foundation; Richard Stephens, Senior Vice President, The Boeing Company; and former BHEF chair Mark Wrighton, Chancellor, Washington University in St. Louis.
April 2008
BHEF Executive Director Addresses International College Access Conference
Brian Fitzgerald, BHEF Executive Director, spoke at the April 6-8, 2008 International College Access Conference in Toronto. The conference, organized by the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation and the European Access Network, brought together international experts in strategies designed to facilitate smooth transitions to post-secondary education for under-represented groups by broadening access to colleges, universities, and technical institutions. To read Fitzgerald's remarks, click here.
BHEF Announces On-the-Ground Commitment to Louisville, KY
As a key strategy in BHEF's College Readiness Initiative, BHEF is very pleased to announce their commitment to Louisville/Jefferson County, KY as the first on-the-ground site for collaboration in improving student achievement. The team in Louisville draws from both business and education, involving member David Jones, Chairman of Humana, Inc.; Joe Reagan, President and CEO of Greater Louisville, Inc.; Sheldon Berman, Superintendent of Jefferson County schools;
Lee Todd, the President of the University of Kentucky; and Michael McCall, President of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. This team will work with BHEF to determine and take action on areas of improvement in the education pipeline.
February 2008
Battelle and Ohio STEM Learning Network Receive Gates Grant
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded a $12 million grant in support of the Ohio Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Learning Network, managed by Battelle. This network will work with Ohio’s public schools to ensure that all students meet the STEM literacy challenge and are prepared to fill the high-quality jobs that will transform Ohio’s economy from an industrial economy to a “solutions” economy.
The network seeks to double the number of college graduates in Ohio by 2015 with degrees in the STEM disciplines, with a special emphasis on increasing the number of low income and minority graduates.
For more information, click here.
January 2008
BHEF Member Named St. Louis Citizen of the Year
Mark S. Wrighton, Chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis and BHEF member and past Chair, was recently named Citizen of the Year by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The paper's announcement of the award cited Wrighton's accomplishments at the school in his 13-year tenure, including more than doubling the number of applicants and both the physical and financial growth of the selective institution.
December 2007
BHEF Executive Director Speaks at Kentucky Education Task Force
For several months, the Kentucky Chamber's Postsecondary Education Task Force has been reviewing the state's progress in improving education, examining the impact of local colleges and universities on economic grown, and looking at the state's ability to compete in the global marketplace. The group releases their findings, titled "Locally Engaged, Globally Competitive: The Report of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce's Postsecondary Education Task Force," on December 4, 2007, in Louisville. Brian Fitzgerald, BHEF Executive Director, is the keynote speaker for the event.
For more information, visit the Kentucky Chamber's Web site.
November 2007
BHEF External Relations Director Speaks at Higher Education
Conference
Nancy Kuhn, BHEF's Director of External Relations, spoke at this year's Higher Education Government Relations Conference, sponsored by AASCU, NASULGC, AACC and CASE, November 29, 2007, in
Kuhn discussed the joint business/higher education stake in educational collaboration and how business can partner effectively with higher education to improve student achievement, college readiness, access and success to the benefit of both higher education and business. Kuhn highlighted BHEF's College Readiness and STEM Initiatives in this context.
During the two-and-a-half-day conference, attendees also heard from state higher education policy and political leaders on strategies for impacting higher education public affairs and government relations. Participants included senior-level college and university government relations and public affairs officials from two and four-year universities. Non-profit colleges and state systems were also represented.
For more information about the Higher Education Government Relations Conference, click here. To view Kuhn's presentation, download here.
October 2007
The TIAA-CREF Institute Sponsors Faculty Development
Program Award
The TIAA-CREF Institute, an education-focused arm of TIAA-CREF, is accepting nominations for its 2008 TIAA-CREF Theodore M. Hesburgh Award, which recognizes exceptional faculty development programs that enhance undergraduate teaching and learning. The winner will be awarded a $20,000 cash prize at the American Council on Education (ACE) Annual Meeting in February 2008. To submit an entry, visit ACE's Web site. TIAA-CREF Chairman and CEO Herb Allison also serves as Chairman of BHEF.
BHEF Members Top Forbes Most Powerful Women List
BHEF congratulates members Indra K. Nooyi,
September 2007
Higher Education Journal Features BHEF's Report
Industry & Higher Education, a bi-monthly journal focused on "the relationships between business and industry and higher education institutions," featured BHEF's latest report in their August 2007 issue. The journal provided the background on An American Imperative, then cited BHEF's recommendations for educational transformation.
BHEF Deputy Director to Speak at Smithsonian Fall Symposium
Christopher Roe, Deputy Director at the Business-Higher Education Forum, is slated to speak at the upcoming Challenging the Course of Science Education: Fall 2007 National Leadership Symposium, a joint symposium held by the National Science Resources Center (NSRC) of the National Academies and the Smithsonian Institution. The conference will be held October 31-November 2, 2007 at the National Academies Keck Center in Washington, DC, enabling leaders from business, the science community, foundations, advocacy groups, state and local school systems, universities, and government to convene with a common focus on improving the course of science education in the United States.
For more information about attending the symposium, visit www.nsrconline.org
Congress Implements Recommendations of An American Imperative
Congress overwhelmingly passed and the President is expected to sign the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (H.R. 2669), which implements key recommendations of the Business-Higher Education Forum’s recent report, An American Imperative.
The bill establishes the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant program, which will provide up to $4,000 a year to students who agree to serve as full-time teachers for at least four academic years at a high-need school within eight years after completing their degree. This approach is consistent with recommendations in An American Imperative as a way to strengthen teacher recruitment policies in mathematics and science. In order to be awarded the TEACH Grant, recipients must agree teach in math, science, foreign language, bilingual education, or special education. Alternatively, students can agree to serve as a Reading Specialist or teach in another field documented as high-need.
Additionally, the Act increases the maximum Pell Grant scholarship to $5,400 over the next five years, from $4,050, and encourages public service and philanthropic participation through loan forgiveness and grants. The Act would also guarantee new investments in historically black colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribally-controlled colleges and universities, and Alaska and Hawaiian native institutions.
August 2007
BHEF Lauds New
On August 9, 2007, President Bush signed into law the America COMPETES Act. This bipartisan, landmark legislation seeks to improve American competitiveness by:
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Authorizing a substantial increase in federal investment in research;
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Increasing federal investment in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education;
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Establishing large-scale programs for teacher recruitment and retention in math and science.
BHEF actively supported passage of this legislation, both directly and through its participation in the Tapping America’s Potential (TAP) Coalition and STEM Education Coalition. Its enactment caps years of effort to improve America’s capacity for innovation and advances several key BHEF policy priorities, particularly in the areas of STEM education and strengthening America’s math and science teacher workforce.
Business Higher Education Forum Presents at NASA Conference
On Monday August 6 BHEF Executive Director Brian Fitzgerald served as a panelist at NASA's Pre-Launch Education Conference.
July 2007
BHEF’s Vice Chair Testifies on Globalization Before House Science and Technology Committee
On July 26, David Skorton, President of Cornell University and BHEF vice chairman, testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology. The hearing sought to learn how
BHEF Hosts a Moderated Panel for An American Imperative on Capitol Hill
On Wednesday July 11, 2007 an expert panel assembled on Capitol Hill and shared their front-line perspectives and experiences in a moderated discussion, after which they engaged the audience in a discussion about the report’s Federal recommendations and its proposed action agenda. The event was co-sponsored by Senators Edward Kennedy and Michael B. Enzi. Read more here.
June 2007
National Press Club Release of An American Imperative (PDF - 3.11MB)
On Monday June 11, 2007, BHEF released An American Imperative, which calls for “transformational change” to address the shortage of quality mathematics and science teachers. The National Press Club event featured a distinguished set of panelists who discussed the report's findings and recommendations. See news coverage of the report in The Washington Post, Lou Dobbs: CNN, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Inside Higher Ed, Newsday, Pacific Coast Business Times, Dallas Morning News, and Education Week.
Click here to view photos of the event.
BHEF and the Business Community Submit Higher Education Act Recommendations to Congress
Led by BHEF, the Tapping America’s Potential (TAP) Coalition crafted recommendations for the upcoming reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. The recommendations address strategies for maintaining America’s competitive edge by aligning P-12 education with college and workplace expectations, recruiting and retaining math and science teachers, and motivating students to study and enter STEM careers. The recommendations were shared with leadership on the House Education and Labor Committee and Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
BHEF Thanks Representative Holt for Introducing the National STEM Database Act
BHEF sent a letter to Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ) thanking him for introducing the National STEM Database Act (H.R. 1051). The legislation authorizes the Department of Education to create a database for financial aid opportunities for STEM students. The House approved the bill on June 6.
BHEF and the STEM Education Coalition Share Priorities for a Competitiveness Bill with the House Education and Labor Committee
Led by BHEF, the STEM Education Coalition submitted a letter to Representative George Miller (D-CA) and Buck McKeon (R-CA), Chair and Ranking Member for the House Education and Labor Committee, recommending STEM education provisions related to a competitiveness bill. The coalition called on the committee to draft a bill that establishes P-16 councils, improves math instruction, strengthens after-school and summer STEM programs, recruits STEM teachers, and expands professional science master’s programs. The Education and Labor Committee plans to either introduce a competitiveness bill later this year or incorporate competitiveness related proposals in the upcoming reauthorizations of the Higher Education Act and No Child Left Behind Act.
May 2007
Report Finds Core Courses Often Lack 'Rigor' (PDF- 342 KB)
A new report, "Rigor at Risk" (PDF - 342 KB) released by ACT, Inc., shows that U.S. high school core courses often lack the rigor to adequately prepare students for college. The report found that only slightly more than a quarter of high school students who took a full set of college-preparatory courses were prepared for college-level work. BHEF's College Readiness Initiative (CRI) seeks to engage corporate support and leadership in tandem with higher education to improve K-12 students' college readiness, attendance and success. Through CRI, BHEF advocates for aligning K-12 curricula with the demands of college and work through enhanced standards, assessments and accountability policies. Richard L. Ferguson, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of ACT, Inc., is a member of BHEF.
BHEF Urges Congress to Strengthen Federal Strategies to Recruit, Retain, and Renew Mathematics and Science Teachers
Warren Baker, President of California Polytechnic State University, and Bill Swanson, Chairman and CEO of Raytheon Company, sent a letter to congressional members on key education and science committees. The letter called on Congress to invest in strategies that recruit, retain, and renew mathematics and science teachers. The letter also shared the specific federal recommendations from BHEF’s soon to be released report, An American Imperative. Warren Baker and Bill Swanson co-chair the BHEF initiative “Securing America’s Leadership in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)” working group, which provided key leadership and vision for An American Imperative.
April 2007
BHEF Supports Math and Science Funding Efforts for FY08 Appropriations
BHEF joined the STEM Education Coalition in urging Congress to fund math and science education programs at the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Department of Education (ED), such as the Math and Science Partnership programs (See NSF and ED letters). BHEF also signed on to a letter from the Task Force on the Future of American Innovation, which called for increases in fiscal year 2008 funding for basic research at NSF, Department of Energy, and National Institute of Standards and Technology (See House and Senate letters).
BHEF Supports Bills Promoting Excellence in Math and Science Instruction
BHEF applauds the U.S. House of Representatives for its passage of the "10,000 Teachers, 10,000 Minds" Science and Math Scholarship Act (H.R. 362), and the "Sowing the Seeds Through Engineering Research" Act (H.R. 363). These bills promote excellence in math and science instruction and support research in engineering and the physical sciences. "The quality of math and science teaching is the single most important factor in improving student math and science achievement," said BHEF Executive Director, Brian K. Fitzgerald. "H.R. 362 recognizes this national imperative by making key investments in teacher recruitment programs and professional development opportunities." BHEF is a member of the TAP Coalition, which has advocated enactment of this legislation. Read more.
March 2007
BHEF Makes Recommendations for NCLB Act
The Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) recently joined forces with two coalitions to submit legislative recommendations for the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). In anticipation of the NCLB reauthorization process, the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor and the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions asked groups to submit specific legislative language changes they would like to see made to current law. BHEF staff worked with the STEM Education Coalition and the Business Coalition for Student Achievement to draft various legislative proposals, such as establishing P-16 councils; rewarding math and science teachers; and aligning standards and assessments with college and workforce expectations. See STEM Education Coalition recommendations (House (PDF - 54 KB), Senate (PDF - 52 KB)) and BCSA Coalition recommendations (PDF - 198 KB).
BHEF Supports Bill to Strengthen the Teacher Workforce (PDF - 170 KB)
BHEF recently sent a letter (PDF - 170 KB) to Chairman Bart Gordon and Ranking Member Ralph Hall of the House Science and Technology Committee in support of H.R. 362 ("10,000 Teachers, 10 Million Minds Science and Math Scholarship Act"). The bill closely aligns with recommendations outlined in BHEF's new report, "An American Imperative: Transforming the Recruitment, Retention, and Renewal of Our Nation's Mathematics and Science Teaching Workforce" (PDF - 3.14 MB). Read report summary.
BHEF, Leaders Submit Competitive Proclamation to Congress (PDF - 253 KB)
Over 270 business and higher education leaders issued "The American Innovation Proclamation" (PDF - 253 KB), which urges Congress to pass legislation this year to bolster U.S. innovation.
Kentucky Task Force Releases Final Report Lauded by BHEF (PDF - 483 KB)
The Kentucky STEM task force released a statewide P-20 strategic action plan (PDF - 483 KB) to accelerate Kentucky's performance within the STEM disciplines. Headed by University of Kentucky President and BHEF member Lee T. Todd Jr., the task force's recommendations align with the goals of the BHEF STEM initiative, and recommendations made in the BHEF Handbook for a Commitment to America's Future (PDF - 882 KB), a toolkit for leaders of state-level P-16 councils. Read related article.
February 2007
BHEF Hosts Secretary of Education at Meeting of Business Leaders
U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings joined BHEF, TIAA-CREF and other business and education leaders for a February 15 discussion on the need to prepare more students for college and the workforce. The Secretary congratulated BHEF for its efforts to strengthen the K-12 pipeline and its emphasis on promoting college readiness and degree attainment.
Foundation Offers Three-Year Grant
The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, headed by BHEF member Carl Schramm, recently announced its award of a three-year grant totaling up to $5.4 million to YouthFriends. The grant will be used to develop UpLink, a community hub connecting area businesses with teachers and students who want to further their skills and knowledge in math, engineering, science and technology.
January 2007
BHEF Issues Action Agendas at January 2007 Meeting
Action agendas were developed for two of BHEF's major initiatives, Boosting K-12 Student Achievement: Promoting College Readiness for All (PDF - 19 KB); and Securing America's Leadership in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (PDF - 23 KB), as a result of member dialogue and decisions at the
January 11-12 semi-annual member meeting.
BHEF Joins Business Community to Form Coalition
BHEF has joined business leaders from every sector of the economy to form the Business Coalition for Student Achievement (BCSA). BSCA will work with the Administration and Congress to strengthen and improve the No Child Left Behind Act.
BHEF Receives Major Grant (PDF - 32 KB)
BHEF has received a grant from USA Funds, the nation's leading education loan guarantor. The award will help to advance the Forum's latest initiative, "Boosting K-12 Student Achievement: Promoting College Readiness for All." The initiative focuses on engaging corporate, academic and foundation leaders to address the pivotal issues in K-12 education: the need to improve student achievement and to promote college readiness for all students.
For other recent news and events, see News Archives.