Executives set to gain experience managing public schools

Executives set to gain experience managing public schools

The Broad Center for the Management of School Systems has announced the selection of 36 early career executives to participate in its Broad Residency in Urban Education program.

The application process was very competitive this year, as nearly 3,000 individuals - all with MBAs and other advanced degrees - applied, more than double the last year's levels.

For the 2009-2011 period, the Broad Residents work full-time at the top levels of urban school systems across the country to improve central office management practices.

"Particularly in this economy, Broad Residents are helping schools and those who are supporting schools stretch each dollar as far as possible to preserve teacher jobs and give students a world-class education," says Eli Broad, founder of The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation.

"To have so many high-performing executives looking for management careers that make a difference in the lives of children bodes well for the field of public education," he adds.

The program is an example of how business degrees can be applied to a variety of careers, including those in the field of education.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual earnings of wage and salary managers in May 2006 were $85,230. The middle 50 percent earned between $58,230 and $128,580.