Transforming Public Education

For nearly two decades, education entrepreneurs have been working to transform the K–12 public education system in the United States. “Social entrepreneurship” has become part of the language of a new generation of idealists, many of whom are focused on education. The nineteen cases in this book profile entrepreneurs who are pursuing opportunities to create pattern-breaking social change in our public schools—in particular, by creating high-quality educational opportunities for low-income and minority students who are dramatically underserved by the current public education system. Students are invited to explore four overarching questions: Why are there opportunities for entrepreneurs in a sector that is funded with public dollars and delivered by public agencies? Why is entrepreneurial activity aggregating around certain opportunities? What are the possibilities and constraints faced by entrepreneurs in each opportunity area? How can we evaluate the impact of these entrepreneurs’ efforts?