Lowell Milken
Showing 1–2 of 2 transcripts.
- Milken Institute1h 5m
Conversation w/ Betsy DeVos, Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Education / U.S. Education Policy Discussion
Betsy DeVos, Lowell Milken, William Bennett, Steve Bullock, Jeb Bush
During a high-level policy discussion, Secretary Betsy DeVos, former Secretary William Bennett, and Governors Jeb Bush and Steve Bullock debated the role of federal versus state authority in education amidst persistent achievement gaps and insufficient college readiness rates. The panelists advocated for shifting decision-making power to the states through block grants and school choice mechanisms like Education Savings Accounts and dual enrollment programs to foster local innovation and address specific demographic needs. While all participants expressed optimism about state-led reforms, they simultaneously warned that systemic issues such as teacher shortages and social stratification require urgent attention to ensure the education system functions as an effective equalizer.
- Milken Institute1h 5m
The International Quest for Effective Education Reform
Michael Bennet, Eugene Kandel, Anthony Miller, Dilip Thakore, Dinghua Wang, Lowell Milken
A global analysis of education systems reveals that human capital investment is the primary driver of economic growth, with specific policy shifts in China, India, Israel, and the U.S. demonstrating how structural reforms in teacher incentives, accountability, and curriculum can address critical shortages and achievement gaps. While the United States faces a retention crisis and stagnant progress despite billions in spending, emerging models utilizing performance-based funding and rural integration strategies offer scalable blueprints for improving literacy and workforce readiness across diverse demographics. The consensus among experts emphasizes that sustainable national advancement requires decade-long strategic continuity and targeted private-sector innovation rather than frequent administrative overhauls.