Origin

Our co-founders are Paul G. Pastorek, who proposed the idea, recruited the initial core group, and led the launching of the enterprise before being named State Superintendent of Education and Dr. Phillip A. Rozeman, a Shreveport cardiologist and education reformer. Education's Next Horizon began with an attitude that "we didn't know all the answers," which led the founding group to seek greater understanding by:

• Holding regional meetings in Louisiana's major metropolitan areas to gain input and ideas on education improvement from the people of Louisiana;
• Holding a series of two day retreats with education consultants of national renown – Michael Fullan, Rod Paige, Paul Hill, and Don McAdams;
• Meeting with leadership of other established and successful state education organizations – North Carolina, Georgia, Texas and Alabama – for input on establishment of the organization; and
• Holding discussions with key foundations, good government organizations and education associations in the state concerning the establishment of Education's Next Horizon.

After nearly two years of planning, the organization started in early November 2007 with the hiring of its founding Chief Executive Officer.