Private Schools: Engines of Innovation or Accelerators of Risk?

Private schools are emerging as powerful innovation hubs in education, pioneering new teaching methods and learning models that could reshape the future of learning. This transformation is accelerated by the unprecedented expansion of Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), which are putting choice and funding control directly in the hands of families. While states like Florida and Utah are creating supportive policy frameworks, the real story is the remarkable growth and innovation happening within private education - from personalized learning platforms to novel curriculum approaches. Private schools are acting as educational laboratories, testing and refining new models at the cutting edge of pedagogy. However, this rapid evolution raises important questions about scalability, quality assurance, and educational equity. This panel examines how private education could serve as a catalyst for broader educational transformation, while thoughtfully addressing the challenges and risks that come with such significant change.