Public Education Network, November 2001
This guide presents the Public Education Network's "blueprint of engagement" for local education funds (LEFs), which are independent "nonprofit, community-based organizations who [sic] work to improve student achievement for all children attending public schools." PEN identifies six interrelated ways that LEFs can intervene in their communities in pursuit of systemic change: community dialogue; constituency building; engaging practitioners; collaboration with districts; policy analysis; and legal strategies. A chapter is devoted to each type of intervention and includes examples from PEN initiatives - ranging from training for school board members to an empowerment program for librarians - lessons learned, tools and resources. Anyone seeking a window into the work of LEFs or advice on how to go about pushing the levers of change in a community may want to take a look. See http://www.publiceducation.org/interventions or order a copy of the guide from the Public Education Network, 601 13th Street, NW, Suite 900 N, Washington, DC 20005; 202-628-7460.
