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On March 5, The Learning First Alliance, which sponsors Public School Insights, held its second Summit for Public Education. We focused on "Community Connections," and over 200 education leaders from across the country met to learn about ways to foster collaborations that increase student success. When schools, professionals, parents, community leaders, and partners from different sectors work together, we can develop the comprehensive supports today's students need.

Read our press release:

Public Education Leaders Come Together Around Stronger Community Connections

Washington, D.C., March 11, 2009

Contact: Claus Von Zastrow (202) 296-5220

President Obama's call for innovation and excellence is exactly right. We at the Learning First Alliance (LFA) know that public schools across the nation are engaged in visionary new approaches to help every student succeed. That is why LFA just issued its publication "What is Working in Our Public Schools." While these 25 stories in this report are only a fraction of what is out there, they are examples of what's possible. (You can download the report at www.publicschoolinsights.org/tools#psi. Many more stories about innovative schools and districts are available at www.publicschoolinsights.org).

Innovation means learning from others. That is why LFA promotes the principle of more federal support for Research and Development. That support can help public school leaders identify and share proven, research-based practices that promote student learning.

LFA has acted to accelerate school improvement. Just last week, LFA held its second Summit for Public Education. We focused on "Community Connections," and over 200 education leaders from across the country met to learn about ways to foster collaborations that increase student success. LFA members know that when schools, professionals, parents, community leaders, and partners from different sectors work together, we can develop the comprehensive supports and community schools today's students need.

The Learning First Alliance, which manages the Web site Publicschoolinsights.org, is a permanent partnership of 18 leading national education associations representing millions of members dedicated to improving student learning in America's public schools. The Alliance shares examples of success, encourages collaboration at every level, and works toward the continual and long-term improvement of public education based on solid research. The Alliance members are:

• The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
• American Association of School Administrators
• American Association of School Personnel Administrators
• American Federation of Teachers
• American School Counselor Association
• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
• Association of School Business Officials International
• Council of Chief State School Officers
• National Association of Elementary School Principals
• National Association of Secondary School Principals
• National Association of State Boards of Education
• National Education Association
• National Middle School Association
• National PTA
• National School Boards Association
• National Staff Development Council
• National School Public Relations Association
• Phi Delta Kappa International.

Stay tuned in the coming week for more information about this event and its implications.