Former and current board members of Tulane University include individuals who are also on the board of TFA Inc., TFA GNO, the Aspen Institute, the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the Business Council of New Orleans, New Schools for New Orleans, the Reily Foundation and the Louisiana Recovery Authority.
In 2006, the Gates Foundation provided Tulane University with $900,000 “to develop and deliver a master plan for Orleans Parish pre-K through 12th grade.” This birthed the Bring New Orleans Back Commission’s Education Committee that provided “a clear vision of the elements of a world-class public school system.”
In 2007, the Gates Foundation provided Tulane University with $371,000 that was used to create the birth of the Scott S. Cowen Institute for Public Education “to further Tulane’s impact on public education reform, serving as a sustained advocate of urban education system success.” Professor from Georgia State University, Dr. Kristen Buras, noted the Cowen Institute for Public Education Initiatives has housed New Schools for New Orleans, New Leaders for New Schools and Leading Educators. Staff members of the Scott Cowen Institute for Public Education are connected to the international PISA test, Teach for America (national), Stand for Children, Teach NOLA and Obama for America.
