Education Conservancy


The Education Conservancy is an American educational non-profit organization headed by director Lloyd Thacker. It describes its goal as being "committed to improving college admission processes for students, colleges and high schools."

Criticism of college rankings

In May 2007, a movement criticizing the practice of college rankings was initiated by Thacker. It follows previous movements in the U.S. and Canada that have criticized the practice of college rankings.
The Presidents Letter, which was developed by Thacker, was sent to college and university presidents in the United States in May 2007. The letter does not ask for a full boycott but rather states:
Instead, it asks presidents not to participate in the "reputational survey" portion of the overall survey. The letter also asks presidents not to use the rankings as a form of publicity:
Twelve college and university presidents originally signed the letter in early May. The letter currently has 61 signatures, though others may be added at a later date.

Debate

A debate concerning the decision of the Annapolis Group to offer an alternative set of data as part of the movement challenging commercial college rankings was published as a podcast in the June 25, 2007, issue of Inside Higher Ed. The debate was between Thacker and U.S. News editor Brian Kelly. The debate was moderated by Inside Higher Ed reporter Scott Jaschik.