Journal # 10

Title: More Than Money Matters, Establishing Effective School-Corporate Partnerships
Author: Nancy Flynn
Learning & leading with Technology, Nov. 2007

This article describes potential problems when schools partner with business. There are fears and concerns of the influence that can be exerted over students and schools when schools are desperate for money and need resources. Business can have an overpowering effect on the student by exerting influences over the curriculum and learning materials adopted by the school.

The author warns that when financial needs dominate the reasons for entering into these partnerships, principles should consider all the implications. In a telephone interview with principles across the nation the author states that principles agree corporate partnerships are a necessity due to financial constraints and lack of school funding. The author identifies concern with the effect on students when school partnerships involve technology. To help school administrators think more critically about implications of school-corporate partnerships that involve technology the author created ten guidelines.

Vision – Principles need to have a clear vision as to what they expect to get from the partnership provided resources. Principles can’t just get resources for which they have no idea how they will be used.

Support for Technology - School technology departments need to be involved with tech resources to avoid waste and a mismatch of resources with school capabilities.

School Curriculum – Principles must be sure that the corporate resources actually fit into the design of the school’s curriculum.

Collaboration & Communication – make sure the school knows what it is giving-up to get the corporate resources. Time commitments from school employees to communicate and facilitate implementation and upkeep can be extensive.

Internal Capacity – Make sure you know the extent of the tech support the corporation intends to commit and make certain it matches the schools internal capacity to use the resources.

Commitment – Make sure the corporation is committed and not a fly-by night group that is gone with the wind.

Obligations – Make sure you know the extent of the obligation you are committing the school to. Know what exactly the school is responsible to accomplish.

Product Promotion – Corporations are masters at recruiting professionals to deliver presentations at public events, corporate affairs and seminars. These are usually a product promotion masquerading as a presentation. Teachers are professionals and should avoid product promotion for more than just ethical reasons.

Assessment – Make sure you pick your assessment markers before you partner and be sure to actually do the measurement. Hold the partner accountable.

Longevity – If it doesn’t work end it and don’t do it again. In the long-run you are wasting your time.