The Implications of Philanthropy on U.S. Education Reform

Abstract

With roots as deep as the nation's existence, philanthropy and big money have served as a means of intervention in nearly all facets of United States society, including education. While literature points to different perspectives on the implications of these interventions, it is clear that this method of reform is familiar and prominent. There is a lack of necessary detail and fundamental research on implications in the literature focusing on philanthropy and big money in education reform. Even with these holes, however, there exists friction in arguments that view big money investments in education reform as well-intentioned versus those that see it as a means to destroy the public education system. Since the latter is popular in the literature, much of the research addresses the implications of philanthropy as progressing neoliberal agendas in education policy and organizing - a commonly rooted critique in certain seemingly progressive education reform organizations such as Students for Education Reform (SFER).