Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Broad Institute for School Boards?
The Broad Institute is an annual, six-day seminar for newly elected or appointed urban school board members. It is an induction program for school board members who wish to become effective reform leaders. The Broad Institute is a project of the Center for Reform of School Systems, a not-for-profit Texas corporation in Houston. It is funded by The Broad Foundation.
What is reform leadership?
Reform leaders are board members who believe that school districts must educate all children to achieve at high levels. They accept responsibility for student achievement. Reform leaders know they are public servants who must master the art of effective governance and provide leadership for the development of a bold reform agenda.
Who gets invited?
Attendance at The Broad Institute is by invitation only. The Center for Reform of School Systems works with superintendents, board presidents, business leaders and others to identify up to 30 newly elected or appointed board members from the nation’s largest urban districts each year. Only districts with two or more newly elected or appointed board members are considered in the invitation process.
How does The Broad Institute differ from training provided by other organizations?
State and national school board associations are membership organizations. Often they provide excellent training in the governance process and state requirements. Some private consultants also provide excellent training in policy governance. The Broad Institute is focused on good governance and reform leadership. The Broad Institute defines effective governance by its results: all children learning at high levels.
What is the curriculum?
Learning is by case studies, scenarios, small group discussions, and workshops. Case studies are modeled after the business case model used at the Harvard Business School. The curriculum is organized around four major themes: governance, politics, whole systems change and theories of action for change.
When is The Broad Institute?
The Institute is held annually in June or July.
Do board members pay for the training?
No. Board members are guests of The Broad Foundation.
What is the Broad Foundation’s focus?
The Broad Foundation is a Los Angeles-based entrepreneurial grant-making organization, established in 1999 by Eli and Edythe Broad. The Broad Foundation’s mission is to dramatically improve K-12 urban public education through better governance, management and labor relations.
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