NextEd- CONVERGENCE

The May 3rd Convergence program showcases “Pathways to Prosperity,” a hallmark report published by the Harvard Graduate School of Education. “Pathways” calls for the establishment of rigorous programs that equip students with the knowledge and technical skills necessary for success in the workplace of the 21st Century and a primary strategy to enhance the educational and economic success of the US and its young people. Convergence will also profile the Academies of Nashville, one of the most robust “wall to wall” high school career academy initiatives in the nation. NextEd will host a visit to Nashville, November 13 - 15 as part of its inaugural “Best in Class” Tour.

Ronald F. Ferguson will present findings and recommendations of the Pathways to Prosperity report. One of the report’s authors, Mr. Ferguson is a Senior Lecturer of Education and Public Policy at Harvard and the Harvard Kennedy School, where his focus is on education and economic development. Mr. Ferguson is the director of the Achievement Gap Initiative at Harvard, where he has taught since 1983. Mr. Ferguson received his BA in Economics from Cornell University and a PhD in Economics from MIT.

Ralph Schulz is the President and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. The Nashville Chamber, in partnership with the non-profit PENCIL Foundation, has developed a sophisticated employer/civic engagement strategy to support and sustain the Academies of Nashville. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Schulz has been a leader in non-profit management for 30 years, also serving as Executive Director of the Adventure Science Center-Nashville and as an executive with Junior Achievement, Inc. CRANE – Capital Region Academies for the Next Economy: As one of 20 pilot projects recently approved by the CA Dept. of Education, NextEd, in partnership with the Sacramento County Office of Education and 21 local districts in seven counties, has established CRANE – Capital Region Academies for the Next Economy – the largest, most ambitious career academy initiative in California, if not the US.