The partnership between the Public Education Foundation and local public schools began twenty years ago. PEF was formed in 1988 to provide support for public schools in Chattanooga and Hamilton County. At that time, the schools were separately managed by city and county governments. The superintendents of the two systems invited the community to establish a group that would help them to “create outstanding schools by applying resources to bold ideas.”
For the next six years, PEF focused on professional development as a means to school improvement. Generous mini-grants gave educators opportunities to enrich their teaching skills. Principals formed a network to support one another and discuss successful strategies. PEF helped improve the libraries of 28 elementary and middle schools.
In 1994 Chattanooga city voters voted to turn responsibility for education over to the county, requiring the two systems to merge. At the request of the Hamilton County School Board, PEF surveyed 3,300 area residents and convened 135 community members – educators, civic and government leaders, residents, parents and students – to help shape the vision for the new school system. When the newly consolidated system emerged in 1997, the partnership with PEF continued.
In 1998 the Superintendent asked PEF to develop a program to help train school leaders. PEF’s Leadership Initiative has grown to include an intensive, year-long Leadership Fellows program that trains future leaders; semi-annual learning institutes for principals and other school leaders; a literacy institute for literacy leaders in every school; a similar math institute; and a book club focused on readings in effective leadership.
In 2001 PEF began 2 major school reform initiatives, both of which have been highly successful. In partnership with HCDE and the Benwood Foundation, $7.5 million was invested to create changes that have revitalized the county’s lowest-performing elementary schools; as part of the Carnegie Corporation’s Schools for a New Society initiative, $14 million was invested to reform each one of the county’s high schools.
In 2006 the county’s middle schools were included in these reform efforts, with a $2.5 million contribution from the NEA Foundation and $6 million from the Lyndhurst Foundation.
The work continues. In 2007, the Benwood initiative expanded to include 7 new schools. Middle and high schools are working to move students to advanced levels, and have broadened their focus to include math as well as literacy. Efforts will continue to prepare students for higher education and increase the number of graduates who enroll – and succeed – in college.
PEF’s endeavors are made possible through the hard work of dedicated professionals and the generosity of people who share our vision. We partner with Hamilton County Schools to challenge, support and improve Hamilton County public schools so that all students succeed in learning and in life.
Milestones