Battelle for Kids


Battelle for Kids is a national not-for-profit "committed to collaborating with school systems and communities to realize the power and promise of 21st century learning for every student." The organization is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio.

About

Supported by an initial grant from Battelle Memorial Institute, Battelle for Kids was established in 2001 to improve student achievement in Ohio under the leadership of former executive director Jim Mahoney. In 2005, Battelle for Kids became an independent, national not-for-profit organization focused on developing innovative services and solutions that empower and support teachers, leaders, and school systems to reach every learner. In December 2016, Dr. Karen Garza became the organization's president and CEO.

Innovation

Part of BFK's early work was the creation of SOAR, a group of 42 Ohio school districts exploring innovative practices for their schools. In October 2017, BFK merged with EdLeader21, a professional learning community of education leaders from nearly 200 school systems nationwide focused on helping students master critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.