Next-Generation School Investments
CSGF plans to invest ~$30 million to support entrepreneurs developing next-generation schools in the charter sector. Many of these schools will “blend” learning by combining online learning technology with the key tenets of successful bricks-and-mortar CMOs, creating individualized learning experiences for students and delivering dramatically better results at the same or lower cost.
CSGF recently collaborated with the Innosight Institute and Public Impact on “The Rise of K-12 Blended Learning” and "The Rise of K-12 Blended Learning: Profiles of Emerging Models," which identify early trends around blended learning and the new school models that are emerging.
We believe blended learning will be transformative for K-12 education over the next decade, creating amazing opportunities for entrepreneurs to increase individualization for students and re-imagine the role of teachers.
Rocketship Education, a CSGF porfolio member operating a growing network of blended learning schools, provides one example for how this innovation can occur. Based in San Jose, CA, Rocketship runs some of the highest-performing low-income schools in California and is making progress closing the achievement gap for its 86% English Language Learner population. Rocketship students spend 25% of their day on core skills acquisition in an online learning lab. As a result Rocketship uses fewer, more specialized teachers and reinvests the savings into higher teacher salaries, academic interventions, teacher coaching and leadership development. Rocketship’s model delivers best-in-class results at a lower per pupil cost. Students benefit from highly personalized instruction from both face-to-face teachers and adaptive learning programs.
Based on CSGF's interest in leveraging innovative learning technologies, we partnered with Netflix CEO, Reed Hastings, to acquire DreamBox Learning in 2010. DreamBox provides award-winning adaptive learning technology to K-3 students.
Our Next-Gen Investment Approach
CSGF typically invests in CMOs with demonstrated track records of academic success. However, CSGF will use a staged and flexible approach to our next-gen investments - making smaller commitments to early stage entrepreneurs developing or testing new models and larger commitments to those looking to grow models with evidence of success.
Candidate Qualifications
Candidates should be passionate about being education pioneers and committed to replicating high-quality charter schools. We suspect that entrepreneurial teams with strong track records of building great organizations, raising student achievement and creatively using technology to boost performance will be best positioned to succeed.
Candidates looking to pilot a new next-gen school within an existing CMO should be able to demonstrate broad senior management and Board commitment to blended learning as well as present a compelling case for how they plan on creating organizational conditions to foster truly disruptive innovations.
How to Apply
Candidates interested in applying for a CSGF next-gen investment should send the following materials to nextgen@chartergrowthfund.org. There is no submission deadline. Candidates will be considered on a rolling basis; however, we prefer to make incubation commitments for schools opening in the fall of 2012 by June 2011 to provide ample time for business planning, charter authorization and start-up preparation.
Plan Summary: A brief one or two page overview of the envisioned or existing next-generation school model and business plan, including
- Team: relevant experience and expertise for individuals who will play key leadership or advisory roles.
- Model: blended learning vision with particular focus on how the model may innovate around individualized learning, teacher role and operational / financial efficiency.
- Market: planned operating geography, grade span and any relevant information on local policy conditions and stakeholder support for blended or online learning.
- Stage: explanation of where the team is in the model’s development (e.g., incubation, pilot or replication)
Student Achievement: Candidates who currently operate, or previously led, at least one school with available state test results should complete the Student Achievement Template, which can be downloaded here. For those currently piloting a new school design, or those with other instructional experience, please provide any relevant information demonstrating success in improving student achievement outcomes.
