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Annenberg Institute for School Reform

Website:

annenberg.brown.edu
Location:

Providence, RI
Type:

Education Research Center
Formation:

1993
Executive Director:

John Papay

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The Annenberg Institute for School Reform is a left-of-center educational policy research center based in Providence, Rhode Island at Brown University with offices in New York. 1 The Institute advocates left-of-center views on race, gender, economic inequality, immigration, and educational policy. 1 2

In 1993, the Institute first formed through a $50 million donation from Walter Annenberg, the billionaire publisher who had served the Nixon and Ford administrations as United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. 3 It was part of a $500 million “Challenge to the Nation” grant Annenberg released to improve U.S public schools. Although the Annenberg Institute received funding from Walter Annenberg’s family foundation, the Annenberg Foundation, the institute itself claims to be a separate entity from both the Annenberg Foundation and Annenberg himself. 1

Background

The Annenberg Institute for School Reform was founded in 1993 through an anonymous $5 million donation to Brown University 1 as well as a $50 million grant from Walter Annenberg, the billionaire publisher who had served the Nixon and Ford administrations as United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom. The latter was part of a $500 million “Challenge to the Nation” grant Annenberg released to improve U.S public schools. 4

The institute claimed to advocate for researching and addressing the, “causes and consequences of educational inequality…through innovative, multidimensional, and research-informed approaches.” 1 By 2000, the institute expanded into New York City while developing a “Task Force on the Future of Urban Districts.” 1

In 2005, the Institute established a master’s degree program in Urban Education Policy (UEP) through a collaboration with Brown University’s Education Department. In 2006, it began its “Community Involvement Program” which was formerly affiliated with the Steinhardt School of Education at New York University while growing its NYC-based branch in 2007. Between 2008 and 2009, the group supported the Rhode Island Governor’s Urban Education Task Force. 1

In May 2019, the Institute launched EdWorkingPapers.com, a national working paper series that presents research on and suggestions for education policy. The project has over 150 scholar contributions as of 2024. 1

The Institute publishes papers on education-related topics as well as relating to current events. In 2020, it released a report claiming that politics was the factor behind decisions to reopen schools during the COVID-19 Pandemic instead of scientific fact. Another report published in 2021 claimed that delaying the closures of schools led to an increase in COVID-19-related deaths in 2020. 5 6

Educational Initiatives and Partnerships

The institute has several Rhode Island Education Research Initiatives that works with local groups research and advocate policy suggestions to improve public schooling within the state. 7 Topics include addressing absences in local schools following the COVID-19 pandemic, allocating federal funding to specific Rhode Island districts, and analyzing the impact of high school on students’ careers. 8

The Institute also maintains a Study of Educators campaign that claims to conduct research into the role teachers and other educational staff play in student development. 9

The Educational Opportunity in Massachusetts initiative is an Institute project that partners with the Massachusetts Departments of Elementary and Secondary Education and Higher Education to track the results of students’ exit exam results, citizenship status, and socio-economic status. 10

The Annenberg Institute is also a member of the Research Partnership for Professional Learning, an initiative created to promote professional training for teachers through providing resources for research and data. 11 The Institute is also a founding member of the Alliance to Reclaim our Schools (AROS), a left-of-center grassroots initiative to promote education reform. 12

The Annenberg Institute also publishes several journal articles and research studies including a quarterly journal called the Voices of Urban Education (VUE). 13 14 The largest publication is the Initiative’s 2019 project, EdWorkingPapers, a database partnership with Stanford University containing research papers advocating policy changes to the public education system. 15 The institute also manages a research and evidence database resource, EdResearch for Action, that was started during the COVID-19 pandemic through a partnership with Results for America to provide educational resources to policymakers, state and school district leaders, and educators. 16 Annenberg also manages EdInstruments, a skills-based resource center to help K-12 students improve in their educational development. 17

Other Initiatives

One of the main initiatives from the Annenberg Institute is its “Center of Work on Race and Education.” 18 The center hosts a series of speakers for its “Rethinking Race and Education” seminar on topics such as “Antiblackness and Education,” the “School-to-Prison Pipeline,” and critical race theory. 19

In 2022, the Center of Work on Race and Education Director John Diamond delivered a Brown University Lecture in Education Research, entitled “Defending the Color Line: White Supremacy, Opportunity Hoarding and the Legacy of Brown.” In the lecture, he claimed the United States Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education (1954), did not go far enough to achieve desegregation and educational equality for Black Americans. 20

Political Influence

In December 1993, then-President Bill Clinton held a White House press conference praising the $500 million “Challenge to the Nation” grant provided by billionaire publisher Walter Annenberg for the purpose of improving the U.S public school system. 4 21 The Annenberg Institute itself received $50 million, and was one of three institutions to receive the initial funding. 22

Between 2008 and 2009, the Institute supported the Urban Education Task Force formed by then-Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri (R) 1 as well as Carcieri’s “Race to the Top” application, an Obama administration federal aid program claiming to incentivize higher test scores. 23 24 Although the institute initially supported the program, it later released a report in 2021 claiming the program to be a failure. 25

Controversy

Obama-Ayers Connection

In 1995, the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, which had received $49 million from Annenberg’s initial $500 million, hired Barack Obama, then working as a lawyer, as the project’s first president. Later the project would be called a failure despite reportedly funding nearly 210 local educational programs and institutes. 3 26

During his presidency at the Challenge, Obama worked with political activist and co-founder of the Weather Underground Bill Ayers, who co-authored Chicago’s grant proposal for the challenge. Obama later denied his relationship with Ayers, describing it as minimal and purely professional, but several critics of the 44th president have claimed the connection to Ayers lead to political radicalism. 3 26

Former Employees’ Roles

In July 2024, Matthew Kraft, a former guest faculty with the Annenberg Institute and Associate Professor of Education and Economics at Brown University, 27 was appointed to a one-year term as a senior economist on the Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) for the Biden Administration. Kraft’s previous positions include a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research, a research fellow with IZA – Institute of Labor Economics, and an invited researcher at J-PAL North America. 28

Kesi Foster, a former employee of the Annenberg Institute, later worked as co-executive director of Partners for Dignity and Rights (formerly the National Economic and Social Rights Initiative (NESRI)) as well as a member of the board of directors at NEO Philanthropy. 29

Leadership

John Papay is the executive director of the Annenberg Institute as well as an Associate Professor of Education and Economics at Brown University. 30 He earned his bachelor’s degree from Haverford College in 1999, his Ed.M. from Harvard University in 2005, and his Ed.D. from Harvard University in 2011. 31 A former high school history teacher, previously worked as a Research Affiliate with the Project on the Next Generation of Teachers as well as being a Doctoral Fellow at the Center for Education Policy Research at Harvard University. 30

Katie Doyle is the managing director of the Annenberg Institute. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame before beginning her career in the foster care and carceral systems and worked as a family therapist. 32 Doyle received her Master of Social Work and MBA from the University of Michigan and later was a Social Work Faculty member at the University of Michigan. 33 32 She is an Adjunct Lecturer in International and Public Affairs at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University. 33

Finances

In 2017, the Nellie Mae Foundation for Education donated $340,000 to the Annenberg Institute. 34 35

The Annenberg Institute has also received about 16 grants from the Ford Foundation between 2006 and 2024, or $5 million in funding in total. Since 2006, Brown University itself has received 16 grants from the Ford Foundation. 36

The Robert Bowne Foundation made a series of donations to the Annenberg Institute including a $25,000 donation in 2007, two $30,000 donations in 2008, and one $30,000 donation in 2009. 37

The Annenberg Institute has also received $6 million in grants from the Atlantic Philanthropies, including a $5 million gift in 1993 and a $1 million donation in 2013. 38 39

In 2020, the Annenberg Institute received a two-year grant from the Institute of Education and Sciences (IES) worth $485,407.47 to, “develop, expand, refine, critique, improve, and disseminate EdInstruments, an open-source library of education-relevant measurement tools launched by the Annenberg Institute at Brown University.” 40

References

  1. “Mission and History.” Annenberg Institute – Brown University. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://annenberg.brown.edu/about/mission-history
  2. “About.” Annenberg Institute – Brown University. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://annenberg.brown.edu/about
  3. Becheck, Michael. “In debate over Obama’s past, U. history revisited.” Brown Daily Herald. September 23, 2008. Accessed October 27, 2024.  https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2008/09/in-debate-over-obama-s-past-u-history-revisited
  4.  “PRESS BRIEFING BY SECRETARY OF EDUCATION DICK RILEY, PRESIDENT OF NEW AMERICAN SCHOOLS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION DAVID KEARNS, CHAIRMAN OF COALITION OF ESSENTIAL SCHOOLS TED SIZER, GOVERNOR OF COLORADO ROY ROMER AND GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS JIM EDGAR.” White House – Office of the Press Secretary. December 17, 1993. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://clintonwhitehouse6.archives.gov/1993/12/1993-12-17-briefing-on-annenberg-education-grant.html
  5. Sand, Larry, “School reopenings are being determined by politics and unions,” California Policy Center. October 27, 2020. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://californiapolicycenter.org/school-reopenings-are-being-determined-by-politics-and-unions/
  6. Rauscher, Emily & Burns, Ailish, “Unequal Opportunity Spreaders: Higher COVID-19 Deaths with Later School Closure in the U.S.,” Education Resources Information Center. April 2021. Accessed October 28, 2024.
  7. “RHODE ISLAND EDUCATION RESEARCH INITIATIVES.” Annenberg Institute – Brown University. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://annenberg.brown.edu/ri-research
  8. “Our Impact.” Annenberg Institute – Rhode Island Education Research Initiatives. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://annenberg.brown.edu/ri-research/our-impact
  9. “Study of Educators.” Annenberg Institute – Brown University. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://annenberg.brown.edu/educators
  10. “Educational Opportunity in Massachusetts Ed Opportunity.” Annenberg Institute – Brown University. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://annenberg.brown.edu/edopportunity
  11. “The RPPL Network.” Research Partnership for Professional Learning. Accessed October 27, 2024.  https://rpplpartnership.org/network/
  12. “Organizing for Educational Justice: Parents, Students and Labor Join Forces to Reclaim Public Education.” National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://ncrp.org/resources/organizing-for-educational-justice-parents-students-and-labor-join-forces-to-reclaim-public-education/.
  13. “Publications.” Annenberg Institute – Brown University. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://annenberg.brown.edu/publications
  14. “Voices in Urban Education.” Annenberg Institute – Brown University. Accessed October 27, 2024. http://vue.annenberginstitute.org/
  15. “Home.” EdWorkingPapers. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://edworkingpapers.com/
  16.  “Home.” EdResearch for Action. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://edresearchforaction.org/
  17. “EdInstruments.” EdInstruments. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://edinstruments.org/
  18. “About – Race and Education @ Annenberg.” Annenberg Institute – Brown University. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://annenberg.brown.edu/race-education
  19. “Seminars – Race and Education @ Annenberg.” Annenberg Institute – Brown University. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://annenberg.brown.edu/race-education
  20. “2022 Brown Lecture in Education Research (Post-Production Version).” American Educational Research Association. YouTube. November 7, 2022. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://youtu.be/uqAC4GoBBww?t=838
  21. “Annenberg Education Grant Announcement.” C-SPAN. December 17, 1993. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://www.c-span.org/video/?53164-1/annenberg-education-grant-announcement
  22. Celis, William. “Clinton Hails Annenberg’s $500 Million Education Gift.” New York Times. December 18, 1993. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/18/us/clinton-hails-annenberg-s-500-million-education-gift.html
  23. “Race to the Top: Transforming Education in Rhode Island.” State of Rhode Island – Department of Education. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://ride.ri.gov/inside-ride/additional-information/race-top-transforming-education-rhode-island
  24. “Rhode Island Wins Race to the Top Funding in Second Phase.” RI.gov. August 24, 2010. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://www.ri.gov/press/view/12055
  25. “High-stakes collapse.” United Federation of Teachers. December 16, 2021. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://www.uft.org/news/opinion/editorials/high-stakes-collapse
  26. Kurtz, Stanley. “Obama-Ayers ‘Fact Check.’” National Review. October 20, 2008. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/obama-ayers-fact-check-stanley-kurtz/?itm_source=parsely-api
  27. “Matthew Kraft.” Annenberg Institute – Brown University. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://annenberg.brown.edu/people/matthew-kraft
  28.  “Professor Matthew Kraft Appointed to White House Council of Economic Advisers.” Annenberg Institute – Brown University. July 22, 2024. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://annenberg.brown.edu/news/professor-matthew-kraft-appointed-white-house-council-economic-advisers
  29.  “NEO Philanthropy Announces Election of Kesi B. Foster as New Board Member.” NEO Philanthropy. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://neophilanthropy.org/neo-philanthropy-announces-election-of-kesi-b-foster-as-new-board-member/
  30. “John Papay.” Annenberg Institute – Brown University. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://annenberg.brown.edu/people/john-papay
  31. “John P Papay.” Brown University. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://vivo.brown.edu/display/jpapay#Background
  32. “Katie Doyle.” Annenberg Institute – Brown University. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://annenberg.brown.edu/people/katie-doyle
  33. Katie Doyle. LinedIn. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-doyle-msw-mba/
  34. “Brown University – Annenberg Institute for School Reform.” Nellie Mae Education Foundation. July 2017. Accessed October 27, 2024.  https://nmefoundation.org/awarded_grants/brown-university-annenberg-institute-for-school-reform/
  35. “Our History.” Nellie Mae Education Foundation. Accessed October 27, 2022. https://www.nmefoundation.org/about/our-history/.
  36. “Grants Database Search – Brown University.” Ford Foundation. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://www.fordfoundation.org/work/our-grants/awarded-grants/grants-database/?search=Brown+University
  37. “Robert Bowne Foundation donations made to Annenberg Institute for School Reform.” Donations – Vipul Naik. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://donations.vipulnaik.com/donorDonee.php?donor=Robert+Bowne+Foundation&donee=Annenberg+Institute+for+School+Reform
  38. “Brown University – Annenberg Institute for School Reform.” The Atlantic Philanthropies. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://www.atlanticphilanthropies.org/grantees/brown-university-annenberg-institute-for-school-reform
  39. Teicher Khadaroo, Stacy. “’Discipline reform’ is in Obama program to help young men. What’s that mean?” Christian Science Monitor. MArch 3, 2014. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2014/0228/Discipline-reform-is-in-Obama-program-to-help-young-men.-What-s-that-mean
  40. “Search Funded Research Grants and Contracts – Develop and Improve the Edlnstruments Library.” Institute of Education Sciences. September 2020. Accessed October 27, 2024. https://ies.ed.gov/funding/grantsearch/details.asp?ID=4519
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Annenberg Institute for School Reform

164 Angell St 2nd floor
Providence, RI