Ex-COO helps schools teach

How do you take a corporate business operations background and apply it to the fragmented and tradition-steeped world of education?

You must have passion for changing the way kids learn.

And you must have DNA wired for getting things done.

So says Brian Ross, former chief operating officer at Cincinnati Bell Inc.

Ross resigned from his post at the local telecom firm in August to become president of the KnowledgeWorks Foundation downtown.

He’d watched his friend Chad Wick, CEO, build the nonprofit foundation’s reputation in just a decade to a national innovator in high school education. Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, KnowledgeWorks has helped turn around 70 struggling high schools nationwide with a program called EdWorks.

It’s built a network of 62 New Tech high schools that use software and project-based learning to better prepare students for 21st century careers. And its Strive Initiative now partners educators with politicians, businesses and social service agencies who collectively analyze data to improve schools results. Strive is being piloted in 10 regions including Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Its work in coming years promises to make an even bigger impact nationwide. It aligns hand-in-hand with President Barack Obama’s commitment to pump innovation into education through the $4.35 billion Race to the Top Fund, of which Ohio is an early recipient.

One of Ross’ primary responsibilities will be to launch the foundation’s first social enterprise. He’ll apply business practices to help grow the New Tech Network to 92 schools next year, including one school in our region.