FYI: With the private sector getting more deeply involved in the business of education every year, a coalition of companies has founded a new industry group to go up against teacher unions and other advocates for keeping things public. Education Week reports that six of the nation’s largest “education management organizations” unveiled the National Council of Education Providers in Washington, D.C. two weeks ago. The group’s $360,000 budget will come from donations from each of its members, which include the New York City-based companies Mosaica Education and Edison Schools. “We are going to get the word out that we are not Beelzebubs,” Mosaica CEO Michael Connelly told Education Week. “This is not a satanic plot to destroy public education.” [2/9/03]