Who to Contact about Education Reform

Many organizations provide resources and programs to support improvements in education. These include the U.S. Department of Education, professional organizations, foundations, institutions of higher education, and non-profit agencies. At the state and local level, an even larger number and variety of organizations interact with school systems. The list below illustrates the types of organizations and programs that operate nationally. All of these sites have links that can take you deeper into the who and what of education reform.

• American Association of School Administrators AASA is the professional organization for over 16,500 educational leaders across North America. Its primary responsibilities include improving the condition of children and youth, preparing schools and school systems for the 21st century, connecting schools and communities, and enhancing the quality and effectiveness of school leaders.

• American Educational Research Association AERA is concerned with improving the educational process by encouraging scholarly inquiry related to education and by promoting the dissemination and practical application of research results.

• American Federation of Teachers AFT is an 900,000-member union of public and professional employees, including public and private school teachers, paraprofessionals and school-related personnel, higher education faculty and professionals, employees of state and local governments, nurses and health professionals.

• The Annenberg/CPB Math and Science Project has funded more than 40 efforts, both regional and national in scope, to improve math and science education in kindergarten through grade 12. These projects educate and support the key groups of adults that have a hand in changing the way math and science are taught, including parents, teachers, teacher educators, administrators, and policymakers. Funded projects capitalize on existing reform efforts, creating a coordinated communications system of human and electronic networks, video and print resources, and major media campaigns.

• Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University seeks to nurture, promote and sustain a comprehensive, nationwide school reform movement.

• Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development ASCD is an international, nonprofit, nonpartisan education association committed to the mission of forging covenants in teaching and learning for the success of all learners. Founded in 1943, ASCD provides professional development in curriculum and supervision; encourages research, evaluation, and theory development; and disseminates information on education issues ranging from inclusion to parent involvement, learning styles to school leadership.

• Coalition of Essential Schools Founded by Ted Sizer at Brown University, the Coalition of Essential Schools is a high school-university partnership devoted to deepening student learning by reorganizing schools.

• The Council of Chief State School Officers CCSSO is a nationwide, nonprofit organization composed of public officials who lead the departments responsible for elementary and secondary education in the states, the U.S. extra-state jurisdictions, the District of Columbia, and the Department of Defense Dependents Schools. In representing chief education administrators, CCSSO works on behalf of the state agencies that have primary authority for education in each state.

• The Council of the Great City Schools brings together some of the largest urban public school systems in the country in a coalition dedicated to the improvement of education in the inner cities. By keeping Congress, the media and the public informed about the problems facing urban schools and the critical need to ensure that today's students receive an education based on high standards and expectations, the Council helps to set the course for the survival of our cities, the productivity of our citizens, and the future of our nation.

• Education Commission of the States A national nonprofit organization that helps state leaders improve education for all young people.

• Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education (ENC) is funded through a contract with the U. S. Department of Education to provide K-12 teachers with a central source of information on mathematics and science curriculum materials.

• The Eisenhower Regional Consortia for Mathematics and Science Education. The Eisenhower Regional Consortia serve 10 regions of the country and work with ENC to disseminate effective materials and teaching methods. The Consortia also provide various kinds of technical assistance in the regions.

• National Board for Professional Teaching Standards The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards works to strengthen the teaching profession and to improve student learning in America's schools. The Board is establishing high standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do, and is developing a new system of advanced, voluntary certification for teachers.

• National Center on Education and the Economy The NCEE is organized to provide tools, professional development programs, technical assistance services, and other resources to support standards-based reform. The NCEE web site includes information about New Standards: Performance Standards and Assessments for the Schools.

• National PTA Celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 1996, this web site for the NPTA helps them promote their mission of:
  1. to support and speak on behalf of children and youth in the schools, in the community and before governmental bodies and other organizations that make decisions affecting children;
  2. to assist parents in developing the skills they need to raise and protect their children;
  3. to encourage parent and public involvement in the public schools of this nation.

• National Science Foundation The National Science Foundation makes grants and awards in all areas of science, mathematics, and engineering education. NSF also supports programs that integrate science, mathematics, and engineering research and education.

• Regional Educational Laboratories educational research and development organizations supported by contracts with the U.S. Education Department, Office of Educational Research and Improvement (OERI).

• U. S. Department of Education The USDOE's Mission is to ensure equal access to education and promote educational excellence throughout the nation.