The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

Overview

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching is an independent policy and research center based in Stanford, California. Established in 1905 and chartered by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1906, the foundation was created to "encourage, uphold, and dignify the profession of the teacher and the cause of higher education." Today, its mission is to catalyze transformational change in education so that every student has the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified, and fulfilling life. The foundation achieves this by advancing the science of improvement and fostering collaborative networks to address longstanding inequities in educational outcomes.

History and Legal Framework

Founded by industrialist Andrew Carnegie in 1905, the Carnegie Foundation was chartered by an act of Congress in 1906 as an independent nonprofit organization. Initially, its primary focus was to provide pensions for retiring college teachers, but its mission expanded over time to include broader educational reform. The foundation is classified as a private operating foundation under sections 509(a) and 4942(j)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, utilizing income from its endowment to support its activities without awarding grants or scholarships. It is governed by a self-perpetuating board of trustees composed of leaders in education, business, and government.

Mission, Vision, and Objectives in Higher Education

Mission: The Carnegie Foundation's mission is to catalyze transformational change in education so that every student has the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified, and fulfilling life.

Vision: The foundation envisions a future where educational systems are equitable, effective, and continuously improving to meet the needs of all students.

Objectives: The foundation's objectives include:

• Advancing the science of improvement to enhance educational practices.
• Fostering collaborative networks to address educational challenges.
• Promoting policies and practices that ensure equitable educational opportunities.
• Supporting the development of effective teaching and learning strategies.

Governance, Structure, and Independence

The Carnegie Foundation is governed by a self-perpetuating board of trustees composed of leaders in education, business, and government. The foundation operates as a nonprofit corporation chartered by an act of Congress in 1906. It is classified as a private operating foundation under sections 509(a) and 4942(j)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, utilizing income from its endowment to support its activities without awarding grants or scholarships. The foundation's leadership includes a president and executive team responsible for implementing its strategic initiatives and overseeing day-to-day operations.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation in Higher Education

While the Carnegie Foundation does not directly accredit institutions, it plays a significant role in shaping educational quality through its research and initiatives. The foundation is known for developing the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, a framework for classifying U.S. colleges and universities based on various criteria, including mission, size, and degree offerings. This classification system is widely used for research and policy analysis. Additionally, the foundation has contributed to the development of standardized testing, such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and has been involved in efforts to improve teacher evaluation systems and educational outcomes.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

The Carnegie Foundation collaborates with various national and international organizations to advance educational improvement. It has partnered with the Institute of Education Sciences to address issues related to teacher evaluation systems through cooperative agreements. The foundation also engages in international dialogues on education policy and practice, sharing its research findings and participating in global initiatives aimed at enhancing educational quality and equity.

Current or Future Impact on Higher Education

The Carnegie Foundation continues to influence higher education through its commitment to improvement science and collaborative networks. Its initiatives, such as the Improvement Science approach, focus on addressing systemic challenges in education by applying scientific methods to drive continuous improvement. The foundation's work in developing frameworks like the Carnegie Classifications and its involvement in teacher evaluation reforms contribute to shaping policies and practices that enhance the quality and accessibility of higher education. Looking forward, the foundation aims to expand its impact by fostering innovation and supporting institutions in their efforts to improve educational outcomes for all students.

Summary

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching is a pioneering organization dedicated to transforming education through research, policy development, and collaborative networks. Established in 1905 and chartered by Congress in 1906, the foundation has a rich history of contributing to educational reform and continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of higher education. Its mission to catalyze transformational change ensures that every student has the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified, and fulfilling life, positioning the foundation as a leader in the ongoing effort to improve education worldwide.

FAQs

• What is the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching?

  The Carnegie Foundation is an independent policy and research center based in Stanford, California, dedicated to advancing the science of improvement in education.

• When was the Carnegie Foundation established?

  It was founded in 1905 and chartered by an act of Congress in 1906.

• What is the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education?

  It is a framework developed by the foundation to classify U.S. colleges and universities based on various criteria, widely used for research and policy analysis.

• Does the Carnegie Foundation accredit institutions?

  No, the foundation does not directly accredit institutions but influences educational quality through research and initiatives.

• How does the Carnegie Foundation impact higher education?

  Through its commitment to improvement science and collaborative networks, the foundation addresses systemic challenges and contributes to shaping policies and practices that enhance the quality and accessibility of higher education.

Organization Name

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching

Acronym

Year of Establishment

1/01/1905

Control Type

Private

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

51 Vista Lane
Stanford
94305 California United States

Phone

+1 (650) 566 5100

Fax

+1 (650) 326 278

n.a.

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Wikipedia Article

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching's Wikipedia article

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