Panel on Technology-Driven Innovation in Education included leaders from Schoolnet, Microsoft, McGraw-Hill, curriki.org and DEKA Research
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – Schoolnet co-founder and CEO Jonathan Harber today provoked an audience of corporate, academic and government leaders at the inaugural National Summit by stating that two ‘achievement gaps’ are impeding America’s success.
The National Summit is a gathering of leaders and policy makers focused on establishing an agenda to accelerate and sustain recovery across the U.S. economy. The Summit, held at the Hyatt Renaissance Center in Detroit, concludes tomorrow.
At the “Technology Driven Innovation Spurs Education Solutions” town hall, Harber cited the ongoing achievement gap that persists between society’s haves and have-nots. He also called attention to a second achievement gap – the one that is growing between American students and students in most other developed nations.
“The first achievement gap – between haves and have-nots – is all about equity in education. If nearly 50% of inner city students are dropping out before completing high school, inequity clearly remains a driving concern.
“At the same time, while the U.S. is one of the top-three highest government spenders per capita on public education, our student performance rankings in math and science are close to the bottom of the list. This is certainly an issue of the moment as our global competitiveness will rely on a highly educated and enabled workforce.”
Harber went on to state that government policy needs to recognize and respond to two gaps that are very different – from the standpoints of population demographics and paths to success.
“In each case, data-driven education is a key,” Harber added. “With the right data available in real time, we can tailor instruction so that students who are under-performing can close and cross the achievement gap. And, we can target instruction to raise performance across the board. In each case, data can be the driver.”
Video and text excerpts from the town hall will be available on the Schoolnet website as soon as they are released by the National Summit.
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About Schoolnet, Inc.
Schoolnet, Inc. is the leader in data-driven education software for Public Schools, helping K-12 school systems to improve efficiency and increase achievement. Schoolnet's solutions provide users with the data, reports, tools, and content to develop talent, individualize instruction, and ensure school improvement. Schoolnet's solutions are used successfully by some of the nation’s largest school districts including Chicago and Philadelphia. Schoolnet won the 2007 Codie Award for Best K-12 Enterprise Solution. The company was a finalist for four Codie Awards in 2009. Schoolnet also has been recognized by both Inc. Magazine’s Top 500 List and Deloitte’s Fast 50 as one of the fastest growing private companies in the country. Schoolnet was founded in 1998 by technology entrepreneur and MIT graduate Jonathan D. Harber and education author and analyst Denis P. Doyle. For more information, please visit www.schoolnet.com
About The National Summit
The National Summit is a cross-sector gathering of prominent business, government and academic leaders. They and hundreds of attendees will discuss and debate four areas of vital importance to global commerce and American competitiveness: Technology, Energy, Environment and Manufacturing. (For event details, please visit www.nationalsummit.org)