Press Releases
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May 26, 2011
Report Calls for Increased Civic Investment in America's Public Schools
Report Commission Releases National Standards and Principles for Growing Number of Public Education Funds
A national commission comprised of top education and philanthropic leaders is calling with new urgency for an increase in the nation's commitment to and civic investment in public education. An Appeal to All Americans, released today, also represents the first national and independently authored report to outline standards of practice for public and local education funds. More.

August 26, 2009
Public Education Network Mourns the Loss of Sen. Ted Kennedy
Public Education Network mourns the loss of a great friend and champion for the cause of public education. America mourns the loss of one of its greatest leaders of all time. Senator Kennedy worked tirelessly to ensure that the highest quality public education was available to all, with special attention to poor children, children of color, children with disabilities, children learning English, homeless children, and young people who could not otherwise afford higher education. He formed alliances with legislators of both political parties, and advocacy groups across the ideological spectrum, to effectively pass legislation that put children first and gave voice to those who had little voice. More.

March 2, 2009
Thoughts about ARRA
By Arnold F. Fege, PEN's Director of Public Engagement and Advocacy
Now that the largest single outlay of federal funding is moving through the governmental pipelines in every state, it seems appropriate to revisit the impact of the stimulus plan, formally known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). More.

January 23, 2009
Message from PEN's President, Wendy Puriefoy
Reflections on the Inauguration of President Barack Obama
The inauguration of President Barack Obama was a singular and remarkable interval in the history of the United States of America. I feel privileged to have been able to bear witness to the solemn occasion on behalf of so many of my teachers, ancestors, and friends. I am humbled by the unsung generations of our forebears who toiled, sacrificed and dedicated their lives to what President Obama affirmed as our "...enduring national spirit ... the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness." More.

June 25, 2008
Rising Gas Prices, Economic Woes Displace Education as Public's Top Concern
Nonetheless, Voters Say that They Want To Hear More about Education & Want Elected Officials To Be Held Accountable for Improvement, National Poll Reveals Public Is Losing Confidence in Efforts To Improve Schools; Cities and Counties Nationwide Will Use New National "Civic Index" To Mobilize and Measure Community Efforts To Bolster Education Quality
Research shows that communities and families make a significant difference in the health, vitality, and performance of their public schools. When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more. A national poll and "Civic Index for Quality Public Education," released today by Public Education Network (PEN) and funded by MetLife Foundation, sheds new light on the public's views on school progress, politicians' commitment to education, and the strength of their community's commitment to helping improve education. More.

February 4, 2008
President's Budget Not Enough for Children and Their Education
Proposed budget does not support education equity, shortcuts children's futures
The following is a statement from Wendy D. Puriefoy, president, Public Education Network, regarding President Bush's proposed fiscal year 2009 budget:

"President Bush has talked tough in the past about holding our country's public schools and students accountable. His last proposed education budget appears to free him and his administration from any serious accountability for the state of our nation's public education system, which is remarkable, as such accountability was something that he and his party fought hard for in the early days of his administration. The president has said he supports education but this budget, as was true for previous budgets, is insufficient to support education to the extent necessary in our nation. More.

January 28, 2008
Statement on 2008 State of the Union
Quality public education must be a top priority for presidential candidates and all elected officials
The following is a statement on the 2008 State of the Union Address from Wendy D. Puriefoy, president, Public Education Network:

Tonight, President George W. Bush spoke yet again about national priorities and serious problems that threaten America's security. There is no question Americans value peace and security. However, countless polls also indicate that Americans view quality public education as a cornerstone of the democracy that helps ensure a proper sense of national security. Quality schools that receive adequate federal, state and local resources are crucial to our nation's future prosperity, success, and security. More.

October 11, 2007
Communities Nationwide Celebrate Give Kids Good Schools Week
Public Education Network Releases Quiz That Assesses Individual and Community Involvement in Education
Public education continues to receive scant mention on the national campaign trail, yet, in communities nationwide, thousands of ordinary Americans will take part in the second annual Give Kids Good Schools Week between Oct. 15 and 21. More.

July 26, 2007
Public Schools Must Be Held Accountable, Americans Say
Public calls for dramatic changes to No Child Left Behind Act, says an engaged public is key to accountability
Americans believe public schools must be held accountable for properly educating children and give the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) high marks for its goals, but also think NCLB needs dramatic changes, according to results from three years of nationwide hearings held by Public Education Network (PEN). More.

June 28, 2007
Statement on Supreme Court School Racial Diversity Decision
Court's rejection of voluntary student assignment programs damages America's moral compact
The following is a statement from Public Education Network President and CEO Wendy D. Puriefoy regarding the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to reject voluntary public school assignment plans in Seattle and Jefferson County, Ky.: More.

June 6, 2007
PEN Releases No Child Left Behind Act Re-authorization Position
Calls for increased parental and community involvement and better retention/training of highly qualified teachers
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) should do more to retain and train highly qualified teachers, employ student-focused accountability systems, and increase parental and community involvement, according to the position on the act released by Public Education Network (PEN) today. More.

April 25, 2007
PEN Statement on "Strong American Schools/Ed in '08" Campaign
Attached is a statement from Public Education Network (PEN) President and CEO Wendy D. Puriefoy regarding the “Strong American Schools/ED in ‘08” campaign announced today by The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. More.

March 28, 2007
PEN President/CEO Wendy D. Puriefoy to Testify Before Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Today
Public Education Network (PEN) President and CEO Wendy D. Puriefoy will testify before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee today at 3 p.m. in 430 Senate Dirksen Building. Puriefoy will discuss how increasing teacher quality, enhancing the use of data, and developing a progress model of assessment is not possible without employing effective strategies for community engagement and parental involvement. More.

March 21, 2007
PEN to Ask 'Do Americans Care if Politiciance Care About Public Education?' on March 26
Public Education Network (PEN) will convene a bipartisan panel of pundits, pollsters, and political advisors March 26 to explore ways in which public education can be positioned as a key national election issue. The forum, entitled “Do Americans Care if Politicians Care About Public Education?” will be held between 9 a.m. and noon in the Great Hall of The Gallup Organization, 901 F St. NW, Washington. More.

February 13, 2007
PEN Statement on No Child Left Behind Commission Findings
Public Education Network (PEN) is pleased that the bi-partisan Commission on No Child Left Behind has recommended much-needed improvements to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, many of which are consistent with research PEN has conducted concerning public views of NCLB. The following is a statement on the commission's findings from PEN President and CEO Wendy D. Puriefoy:

“The commission's recommendations are a starting point for making dramatic improvements to NCLB. PEN commends the commission for its focus on improving accountability systems based on individual student progress over time, on improving data systems and on increasing support for teachers and principals. We should invest in a new accountability system that tracks and recognizes the progress of all students and teachers so that we can target help where it is needed most." More.

February 9, 2007
President's Budget Looks Back, Not Forward
Wendy D. Puriefoy, president and CEO of Public Education Network, issued the following statement in response to President Bush's proposed fiscal year 2008 budget:
"The new federal education budget is full of enthusiasm but lacks powerful ideas and transformative levels of funding. By eliminating 44 programs and allocating $600 million to school vouchers rather than to public schools, President Bush demonstrates the great distance between his views and the budget priorities of the American people who consistently rank education as their most important public concern. At odds in the new budget proposal are new funding for No Child Left Behind and cuts to key services to special education students and other programs that nurture young children. Education in the United States will not improve dramatically unless Americans fulfill their civic responsibility to ensure quality public education for all. Unfortunately, the President's proposed budget sends the message -- by essentially freezing FY2008 funding at FY2007 levels -- that schools can be wholly transformed without new investments and a major realignment of federal education priorities. By raising the accountability stakes but maintaining current funding, the President undermines his reform agenda, and dashes the hopes of citizens and educators eager to roll up their sleeves and begin the serious work of improving American public education."

January 24, 2007
Statement On State of the Union - Making Public Education a National Priority
Last night, President Bush spoke about important national priorities and facing threats to our democracy both domestically and abroad. Americans have long valued the concepts of national security and peace. They also view public schools as the core of their communities and recognize that quality public schools are essential to the sound democracy that helps ensure a proper sense of national security. Quality schools that are provided with the necessary federal and state resources are necessary to our future prosperity, equal opportunity, personal success, and community well-being.

January 8, 2007
Public Education Network Names Six New Members to Board of Directors
Six respected leaders from the education, philanthropy, political and corporate sectors have been elected to the board of Washington-based Public Education Network (PEN).

 

2006 Archive
December 15, 2006	PEN Weekly NewsBlast Rated One of the Top 10 Most Influential Education Policy Sources
November 6, 2006	Award for LEF Excellence to be Given to the Education Alliance of West Virginia
November 6, 2006	Public Education Network 16th Annual Conference Examines the Transformation of Public Education by Local Education Funds
October 10, 2006	School Resegregation Crisis Looms if U.S. Supreme Court Strikes Down Voluntary Integration Plans
October 3, 2006	Philadelphia Education Fund Announces Awardees Of Eddys 2006
September 6, 2006	Everything You Wanted to Know About the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
August 28, 2006	Americans Say Education Should Be Top Priority for Local Leaders
May 1, 2006	Students, Parents & Community Leaders Speak Out on No Child Left Behind
April 12, 2006	Wendy D. Puriefoy, President of Public Education Network, Comments on Campaign to Address Dropout Crisis
February 7, 2006	Wendy D. Puriefoy, President of Public Education Network, Comments On President Bush's Proposed FY 2007 Budget
2005 Archive
November 30, 2005	Nebraska-based School Improvement Advocate Joins Public Education Network Board of Directors
November 18, 2005	Public Hearing Gives Voice to Community Anger, Frustration Around No Child Left Behind
November 4, 2005	New York Life Revitalizing High School Libraries Initiative Site Receives National Recognition
September 30, 2005	New Yorkers Speak Out on No Child Left Behind Act Bring Community Voice to Federal Law
March 16, 2005	American Public Calls on Bush Administration, Congress To Strengthen Public Information & Involvement in NCLB & To Hold States Accountable for Progress
2004 Archive
May 20, 2004	Public Education Network To Host Public Hearings for Citizens on the Impact of No Child Left Behind
April 1, 2004	Majority of Voters Indicate They Will Vote for Candidates Who Make Education a Top Priority; Report to Reveal Mixed Support for No Child Left Behind
2003 Archive
June 25, 2003	Public Education Network Hails U.S. Supreme Court's Decision on Affirmative Action
May 5, 2003	Public Education Network Releases Comprehensive Guide to Help Communities Improve Teacher Quality in Public Schools
April 29, 2003	PEN Joins with Pennsylvania Education Funds to Urge Legislature to Fully Fund Education and Pass Gov. Rendell's Budget
April 17, 2003	'My Teacher is the Best' Essay Contest for Middle School Students Launched by GiveKidsGoodSchools.com Campaign
April 2, 2003	Public Education Network, Lincoln and Nebraska Leadership Meet to Strengthen Partnership between Public Schools and Community Organizations
March 27, 2003	Public Education Network, Providence Leadership Meet to Strengthen Partnership between Public Schools and Community Organizations
February 24, 2003	Demanding Quality Public Education in Tough Economic Times: What Voters Want from Elected Leaders