Bill Gates: The Real Secretary of Education?

by Mike Smith · 2009-10-30 11:18:00 UTC
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The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation are well known for their work funding a wide variety of global health and agricultural programs, but what might be less well known is their work supporting U.S. education. Last year, Gates agreed to give 15 states $250,000 with which they could prepare fantastic grant proposals that would help them wow states into giving them federal stimulus money. Some states were left out of the bounty, which would make them less likely to receive Race to The Top Funds.  Last month, Gates agreed to fund all states as long they agreed to the Foundation's reform-minded checklist.

But it's not just occasional proposal-minded grants that the Gates foundation distributes, but around $200 million annually to improve public schools. The Foundation have had such success that Education Secretary Arne Duncan appointed two of his team from the Foundation.

Some ponder whether Gates' influence on states, — forcing them to sign up to his foundation's reform minded agenda — makes him "The Real Secretary of Education," and by moving from education investment to investing in shaping education policy, he's cetainly cosying up to the Obama administration. For those supporting Duncan's measures, the Gates Foundation is a good ally to have onside. Those opposed will be wondering whether it's appropriate for a private foundation to working so closely with the government — especially since, as a private foundation, the Gates Foundation doesn't have to disclose how it spends its money.

Photo credit: UN Photo/Ryan Brow

Mike Smith is associate editor at Change.org.
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