Entries in On Campus by Jacob Murray

Time for Education to Steal the Olympics' Blueprint

Jacob Murray

December 08, 2014

opinion, wheelock, global competitiveness, innovation

Boston is one of four US cities – along with Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. – vying to host the 2024 Summer Olympics. Business and civic leaders planning the effort tout the benefits and rosy forecasts – increased global stature for Boston, economic boom in jobs and revenue for local business before, during and after the games, and improved infrastructure and facilities, etc. The price tag? Recent analysis by The Boston Globe pegs it at approximately $15 billion.

But here’s another idea altogether: to spur similar investment and excitement in Boston and other cities for education by borrowing this same blueprint.

About Jacob Murray

Jake Murray has served as the director of Aspire since February 2009. Prior to joining Aspire, he served for four years as a child and youth planner for the City of Cambridge, overseeing strategic planning, quality improvement, and program development for early education, out-of-school-time, and youth development services. He also served for five years as a director of community partnerships for the Harvard Children's Initiative, leading a range of collaborative efforts to improve education outcomes in Boston and Cambridge. His research interests include professional learning models, new teacher development, and school-community partnerships. He has served as a consultant to the Boston Public Schools, the Boston Mayor's Office, the Cambridge Agenda For Children, the Boston Redevelopment Authority-Jobs and Community Services, and Open Circle, Wellesley College.