CSBM Founder & CEO Raj Thakkar attended the 2026 Emerging School Models Conference at Harvard on September 17–18.
Hosted by the Taubman Center for State and Local Government, the fifth annual convening brought together education leaders, researchers, and policymakers to explore the intersection of research, policy, and practice in modern education. This year’s theme, “Broadening the Landscape for Choice,” provided a framework for conversations about the changing ways students and families access education.
Discussions covered a range of timely topics, including state-level school choice legislation, the federal scholarship tax credit program, artificial intelligence in education, microschools, and homeschooling regulations. Sessions were held across the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard Kennedy School, and the Charles Hotel.
For Raj, a highlight of the convening was the opportunity to hear directly from leaders representing a wide variety of educational models.
“It was fascinating and important to hear perspectives of leaders of different types of schools — charter, district, private, parochial, home, and micro,” Raj shared.
Participating in conversations that bring together different perspectives from across the education landscape gives CSBM/FOREsight an opportunity to learn from leaders beyond the charter school community and gain a broader understanding of the trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the future of education.