Dive Summary:
- K12 Inc. and Pearson subsidiary Connections Education, among other companies, have invested big dollars in lobbying to try to and influence virtual school programs in the state, according to a report by the Maine Sunday Telegram.
- Education companies have worked through policy organizations, including former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's Foundation for Excellence in Education, to have an impact on policy.
- The report also examine's that foundation's relationship with Maine’s education commissioner.
From the article:
Stephen Bowen was excited and relieved.
Maine’s education commissioner had just returned to his Augusta office last October after a three-day trip to San Francisco where he attended a summit of conservative education reformers convened by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Excellence in Education, which had paid for the trip. ...