Future of Learning Top Reads for week of July 20 2020

“Stronger Together: Moravian Academy and Swain School Explore Becoming One,” by the Heads of School and Board Chairs of Moravian and Swain, via press release

“After months of strategic and thoughtful planning, Moravian Academy and The Swain School are on track to sign, later this summer, a binding memorandum of understanding to formally merge our institutions.”

Why does this matter to the future of learning?

If you’re betting against the prevailing independent school business model, this may be the first canary in the CV19 coal mine.

If you’re betting on M&A-esque activity that produces operational efficiencies and extends the lives of two (or more) organizations, this may be the first “hybrid plant” to emerge from CV19.

What future are you betting on?

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“Fertility Rate in U.S. Hit a Record Low in 2018,” by Sabrina Tavernise in the New York Times

“The fertility rate in the United States fell in 2018 for the fourth straight year, extending a steep decline in births that began in 2008 with the Great Recession, the federal government said on Wednesday.

“There were 59.1 births for every 1,000 women of childbearing age in the country last year, a record low, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. The rate was down by 2 percent from the previous year, and has fallen by about 15 percent since 2007. […]

“In the United States, declines in fertility have not led to drops in population, in part because immigration has helped offset them.”

Why does this matter to the future of learning?

Your periodic reminder that demographics--your customer base--continue to decline.

How will you solve for that?

  • Steal more of a shrinking pie?

  • Become a smaller operation?

  • Expand your customer base outside of traditional K12 or higher ed age ranges?

  • Create new products and services for your existing base?

  • Something else?

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Christian Talbot