Public Education Network (PEN)

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In 2012, Public Education Network (PEN) closed its doors after 21 years. PEN was a network of local education funds (LEFs) -- community based organizations in high poverty school districts across the United States -- that continue to work with their school districts and communities to improve public education for the nation's most disadvantaged children.

At the national level, PEN raised the importance of public engagement as an essential component of education reform. It brought the voice of LEFs and the communities they represent into the national education debate. Finally, PEN gave voice to the essential nature of the connection between quality public education and a healthy and thriving democracy.

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Public Education Network (PEN) Members Directory

May 22, 2012

The most recent directory of Public Education Network (PEN) members nationwide. The list includes contact information for 75 member organizations.

First Scholars Impact Report 2010-2016

April 1, 2017

The longitudinal impact report by The Suder Foundation shows that first-generation students with middle-range academic backgrounds can and do out perform their peers when receiving holistic support and access to resources.

Public Education Network (PEN) Network Data Review March, 2012

March 22, 2012

The PEN National Office Data Department's review of key data points for the network, including:* PEN College- and Career-Ready Compact* Effective LEF Strategies* LEF Scorecard* College College- and Career and Career-Readiness* Effective Teachers* Public Engagement

Standards for Local Education Funds (LEFs)

November 18, 2011

The following standards have been adopted by Public Education Network (PEN). They were first developed and recommended for use by education support organizations by the National Commission on Civic Investment in Public Education (2011), which had adapted standards contained in the Independent Sector's Statement of Values and Code of Ethics for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Organizations (2004). PEN's Membership Committee, with suggestions from a broad range of local education funds, tailored the Commission's standards to more closely align with the work of Local Education Funds.

VUE: Civic Investment in Public Education Winter 2012, Number 32

November 4, 2011

The Annenberg Institute for School Reform (AISR) at Brown University partnered with Public Education Network to highlight the findings of PEN's National Commission on Civic Investment in Public Education, which met for 18 months and issued its final report in May, 2011. AISR dedicated its Winter 2012 issue of Voices in Urban Education (VUE) to the topic of civic investment in public education. The fifteen members of the National Commission for Civic Investment in Public Education have performed an extraordinary service for this nation and for America's schoolchildren. The Commission's work was ably led by co-chairs Richard W. Riley, former U.S. Secretary of Education (1993 -- 2001) and Linda Darling-Hammond, world-renowned education scholar and professor of education at Stanford University. Other members included leaders from the corporate, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors; educators; researchers; and public education support organization leaders from around the country. Together they shared a commitment to expand civic knowledge and support of public education through citizen involvement. Contents:The National Commission for Civic Investment in Public Education by Wendy PuriefoyReaffirming the Dream: The Case for Civic Investment by Richard W. Riley and Linda Darling-HammondA Story of Civic Investment in Public Education by Susan V. BerresfordThe Right Funds for Reinvestment by Erwin de LeonA Failure of Philanthropy: American Charity Shortchanges the Poor, and Public Policy is Partly to Blame by Rob Reich

Communities of Color And Public School Reform: Findings from Qualitative and Quantitative Research

November 1, 2011

The objectives of this research project were to:* Understand the perceptions of low- to moderate-income African-American and Latino parents/caregivers concerning the schools in their communities and the schools their children attend.* Understand the importance of a college education and thecollege-going expectations that parents of color have for their children.* Assess attitudes of parents/caregivers toward key aspects of public school reform.* Identify effective means of connecting with parents/caregivers of color to enlist their support for school reform and improvement efforts.This research was conducted in partnership with the Alliance for Excellent Education, Black Alliance for Educational Options, Campaign for High School Equity, Communities for Teaching Excellence, Leadership Conference Education Fund, League of United Latin American Citizens, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund, National Council of La Raza, National Indian Education Association, National Urban League, Public Education Network, United Negro College Fund, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, Southern Education Foundation, and Stand for Children

Qué es una escuela pública de calidad?

September 9, 2011

Una escuela pública de calidad prepara a todos estudiantes para triunfar. Los expertos coinciden en que las escuelas públicas de calidad tienen las siguientes características.

Give Kids Good Schools

Who's for Public Education? Give Kids Good Schools Guide to Elected Officials and Candidates

September 7, 2011

Elected officials at every level have a responsibility to ensure that all children have quality public schools that prepare them for college and a career. In turn, individuals have a powerful role when it comes to electing candidates and passing measures that support quality public education.As citizens, we have the ability to set high expectations for public education, elect school board members, pay taxes to support public schools, vote for school bond referenda and elect public officials who fulfill campaign promises.This guide is written for everyone who wants to know how to recognize questions and issues that impact quality public education and is designed to help you ask informed questions of candidates and office holders.

Give Kids Good Schools