person1946–

Joel Klein

Disciplines:

Summary

American lawyer and education reformer — Chancellor of New York City schools (2002–2010) — former head of DOJ Antitrust Division (prosecuted Microsoft) — who led the most ambitious urban school reform effort in American history.

Core Contribution

Creates the Bloomberg-Klein model of urban school reform — Klein's NYC education agenda (mayoral control, charter school expansion, principal accountability, teacher tenure reform) was the most comprehensive attempt to reform a major urban school system and became the model for Reform movement efforts nationally.

Key Spikes & Highlights

Had zero education experience when Bloomberg appointed him NYC schools chancellor — his appointment was deliberate (Bloomberg wanted a manager who would not be captured by the education establishment) and his willingness to challenge teacher union contracts directly was made possible by his outsider status
Filed the antitrust case against Microsoft while at DOJ — the case that came closest to breaking up a major technology company in American history; he subsequently went to work for Rupert Murdoch at News Corp, a corporate move that critics found inconsistent with antitrust enforcement principles

Notable Works & Achievements

Lessons of Hope

Historical Influences

Michael Bloomberg Ted Sizer

Intellectual Lineage

Queens, New York Columbia Harvard Law DOJ Antitrust NYC Schools Chancellor Amplify Education

Contemporaries & Peers

Michelle Rhee Arne Duncan Michael Bloomberg

Minds Influenced

Urban education reform

Intellectual Posterity

NYC school reform model Bloomberg-Klein education reform

Discussing

Joel Klein

Ask anything about Joel Klein — their ideas, influences, contradictions, legacy.

person1946–

Joel Klein

Disciplines:

law

law/antitrust

nyc schools

Summary

Core Contribution

Key Spikes & Highlights

Had zero education experience when Bloomberg appointed him NYC schools chancellor — his appointment was deliberate (Bloomberg wanted a manager who would not be captured by the education establishment) and his willingness to challenge teacher union contracts directly was made possible by his outsider status
Filed the antitrust case against Microsoft while at DOJ — the case that came closest to breaking up a major technology company in American history; he subsequently went to work for Rupert Murdoch at News Corp, a corporate move that critics found inconsistent with antitrust enforcement principles

Notable Works & Achievements

Lessons of Hope

Historical Influences

Michael Bloomberg Ted Sizer

Intellectual Lineage

Queens, New York Columbia Harvard Law DOJ Antitrust NYC Schools Chancellor Amplify Education

Contemporaries & Peers

Michelle Rhee Arne Duncan Michael Bloomberg

Minds Influenced

Urban education reform

Intellectual Posterity

NYC school reform model Bloomberg-Klein education reform

Discussing

Joel Klein

Ask anything about Joel Klein — their ideas, influences, contradictions, legacy.