Dear Friends, 

If you've been with us for a while, you know our work has continually evolved.  The large PEF Timeline in our new offices shows how much our work has changed over 37 years--from helping to transform high needs elementary schools to creating a new way to prepare future teachers, from supporting students so that they become the first in their family to graduate from college to developing 21st century skills in digital fabrication labs.  In these initiatives—and many more-- we’ve consistently focused on moving Public Education Forward.  

We carry that commitment forward. 

What has changed is our name.  We are now Public Education Forward. 

Why We Made the change 

When most people picture a foundation, they envision something that is stable and unchanging.  That’s not us.  We are not rigid and forever set.  Indeed, we are constantly changing, continuously moving forward. So, calling us a foundation does not describe us accurately.  

What words best describe us?   

Public Education is what we are profoundly committed to.  We believe in the power of public education and the enormous value of excellent public schools available to every child. We believe strong public schools are critical to our community and to our collective future. We're proud to be champions of public education, especially during a time when so many people are criticizing public schools and teachers. 

Forward is our direction and where we focus our energy. We're moving forward in innovation, bringing digital fabrication and artificial intelligence to classrooms. Forward in training teachers for schools that need them most.  Forward in supporting students who will be the first in their family to graduate from college and have a career.   

So Public Education Forward is a great name for us. 

Make no mistake about it:  

We're still committed to public education. We’ll always be committed to public education.  

We're still investing in students and teachers and principals. We'll always invest in students and teachers and principals. 

We’re still building lots of community partnerships. We’ll always work with lots of community partners.    

But now, more than ever, we are committed to moving Public Education Forward and supporting everyone who shares this goal.     

You are one of those people. Thank you for embracing this goal and being part of this journey. We can't wait to work with you to ensure that all children benefit from a great public education.   

Sincerely, 

The Board and Staff 

Public Education Forward