FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT JOINING THE
BUSINESS COALITION FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
What is BCSA’s purpose?
BCSA is a coalition of companies and business organizations that focuses on promoting federal education policies to improve K-12 student achievement in the United States, with a particular emphasis on the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
Is BCSA a new coalition?
The coalition was first established in 2001 to provide a united voice for business on federal elementary and secondary policy leading up to passage of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), the current iteration of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). BCSA developed a set of principles in 2006 in anticipation of reauthorization in 2007 (which never happened). In recent years, the coalition has submitted comments to both Congress and the Administration on NCLB and federal education reform issues.
Why is BCSA issuing Principles for Reauthorization now?
We are now ramping up for the overdue reauthorization of ESEA, with the expectation that the Obama administration will soon put forward a new proposal for reauthorization. We believe that the business community’s perspective on reauthorization will be a critical part of the debate over how to improve NCLB. In fact, Secretary Duncan and U.S. Department of Education staff reached out to BCSA as part of a “listening tour” on NCLB.
How is BCSA organized?
BCSA is chaired by Craig Barrett, Intel’s former CEO; Bill Green, Accenture’s CEO; and Ed Rust, State Farm’s CEO. BCSA’s Steering Committee includes the three co-chairs plus: John Chambers, Cisco’s CEO; Sam Palmisano, IBM’s CEO; Ivan Seidenberg, Verizon’s CEO; and Randall Stephenson, AT&T’s CEO. The Executive Committee is supported by a Coordinating Committee of company executives who represent their CEOs. Business Roundtable and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce staff the BCSA.
What does it mean if my company or organization signs on?
Signing on as a member means that you agree with the Principles for Reauthorization and you want to receive information about advocacy of business community positions with Congress and Administration.
Who can join the BCSA?
Members of BCSA are either for-profit companies or membership organizations with business leaders comprising at least 50 percent of their boards and 50 percent of their members.
Does it cost anything to join BCSA?
No. The Chamber and the BRT provide support and the companies on the BCSA Executive Committee will supplement if necessary.
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