Dive Brief:

• Education Week is teaming up with Gallup Education to host a post-election event providing an analysis of how results will impact education policy in each state, and the world's largest education company, Pearson, is footing the bill.  
• A written report will accompany the Nov. 12 event, which will see U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA) deliver a keynote.
• While it makes sense that Education Week would hold the Nov. 12 event, some are questioning why a powerhouse like Pearson has been included as a sponsor.

Dive Insight

The Washington Post's Valerie Strauss points out that Pearson, an advocate of the Common Core and provider of standards-aligned exams, has much at stake in the aftermath of the mid-term elections. For that reason, she finds it confusing that a party with so much vested interest is sponsoring the event. Why not create a completely neutral analysis environment? 

Education Week's vice president for research and development, Christopher Swanson, defused the notion that Pearson had influence in the planning of the event, writing to Strauss, "Pearson did not have a role in developing the program or selecting the speakers. That was all strictly in Education Week’s purview."