Engage

“We won't make any genuine progress until everyone who cares begins to work together towards the common goal of educating children and improving their lives.”

DIANE RAVITCH
The Death and Life of the Great American School System

Every citizen has a stake in creating world-class public schools.

Our children’s future, our local economy, our quality of life — all depend upon making education our #1 priority.

We invest in our respective communities by supporting our seven local education foundations, but we know we can only effect lasting change if we work toward the common goal of improving every child’s prospects for success.

The Coalition’s most fundamental role is engaging citizens to help do this all-important work.

Our most promising public engagement initiatives include:

Community Conversations

Leadership Network

Investors:

INITIATIVES

Yes We Can Baldwin

Leadership Network

Support 21st Century Schools

Funding Task Force

Cmmunication For Change

RESOURCES

STAY IN TOUCH

COALITION

Community Conversations

The Baldwin County Education Coalition uses the Yes We Can model for community engagement to convene citizens and to capture their expectations for public education.

Phase I Community Conversations were conducted during July-October 2010 with over 1300 citizens taking part in meetings held in homes, churches and neighborhood centers across the county. The resulting priorities for improvement were published in the Community Agreement and adopted by the Board of Education as a guide for the development of a Co-owned Strategic Plan. Community Conversations will continue to be one of the Coalition’s most important strategies for listening and building civic capacity.

Leadership Network

Many groups are stepping up in new and different ways to help create 21st century schools for Baldwin County.

The Coalition’s Principals’ Forum, Teacher Advisory Council and Parent Leadership Team comprise an important Leadership Network for guiding our work. Members meet quarterly to provide feedback on progress under way and take back what they learn to share with colleagues and friends.