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Here’s an interesting insight on the subject of how much impact the Gates Foundation’s new investments in education will have: The Chronicle of Philanthropy quotes Arthur Levine, the former president of Teachers College and current president of the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, noting that the investments will come against a backdrop of economic crisis and increasingly strained federal and state budgets:

“That means the Gates Foundation could become the most powerful force in American education in the years to come,” Levine said, according to the Chronicle.

SEATTLE — Here’s an update to the who’s-who list I started yesterday, name-checking the notable people here in Seattle for the Gates Foundation’s announcement.

It really is remarkable to have so many players in one place. I guess the prospect of dinner at the Gates family estate, which was offered to all guests Monday night (plus a romp on the family trampoline, says Eduwonk) was hard to pass up. Or is it that Bill Gates is more powerful than even the U.S. Education Secretary (see Skoolboy at Eduwonkette: “Bill Gates, U.S. Superintendent of Schools”)?

Below the jump, and in no particular order, the list. I’ve added links this time so you can read more about these people. Warning: One link will direct you to a MySpace page with loud gospel music. This will not be an error.

UPDATE: Jim Hunt, the former North Carolina governor and a mentioned name for Education Secretary, was physically in Seattle; he did not teleconference. (more…)