Press Releases

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 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.

May 1, 2006
Students, Parents & Community Leaders Speak Out on No Child Left Behind
Public concern over implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is rising, according to a new report issued today by Public Education Network. Open to the Public: The Public Speaks Out on No Child Left Behind, identifies specific concerns voiced by more than 1500 parents, students, taxpayers, and community leaders at open public hearings from September to January of this year.

Nov. 18, 2005
Public Hearing Gives Voice to Community Anger, Frustration Around No Child Left Behind
Lack of information about the federal law, inadequate resources and increased emphasis on testing fuel parent and student concerns.
CHICAGO, IL - Students, parents and business leaders called for equitable funding, relevant information and increased opportunities for parent and community involvement at a public hearing Thursday night to discuss the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). As increasing numbers of Illinois public schools face sanctions under NCLB (238 public schools will be in some phase of restructuring during the 2005-2006 school year, 185 of them in Chicago ), the hearing provided citizens from across the state a forum to share their views and make recommendations on how to improve the landmark education law.

Sept. 30, 2005
New Yorkers Speak Out on No Child Left Behind Act Bring Community Voice to Federal Law
Students and parents frustrated by poor communication and lack of timely information on school performance; express growing concerns over testing.
New Yorkers expressed growing concerns about the impact of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) on local public schools and communities at a public hearing Thursday night to discuss the landmark education law.

March 16, 2005
American Public Calls on Bush Administration, Congress To Strengthen Public Information & Involvement in NCLB & To Hold States Accountable for Progress
In an open letter to the Bush Administration and congressional leaders, Public Education Network (PEN) today called on federal officials to vigorously enforce key provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act to avoid undermining public support for the law's objectives.

May 20, 2004
Public Education Network To Host Public Hearings for Citizens on the Impact of No Child Left Behind
Public Education Network (PEN) today announced it will host citizen forums in communities across the country to gather public opinion on the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act and its impact. The purpose of the hearings is to provide the public with an opportunity to share their views about NCLB's influence on their public schools and communities.

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
A new national poll released today by Public Education Network (PEN) and Education Week reveals that education could become an important election issue over the next six months and that as American voters become more aware of No Child Left Behind and its provisions, opposition to the law has increased.

May 5, 2003
Public Education Network Releases Comprehensive Guide to Help Communities Improve Teacher Quality in Public Schools

Feb. 24, 2003
Demanding Quality Public Education in Tough Economic Times: What Voters Want from Elected Leaders