Improving the Academic Success of Girls PEN has recently partnered with The Metropolitan Life Foundation and 9 local education funds nationwide to expand the reach of MetLife's 1997 survey findings on gender and education. These local education funds provide an audience for survey findings and play an important role in designing action plans to improve the education experiences of young women in their communities. This partnership has a proven record of accomplishment in addressing a critical, interconnected set of health, education, and social issues. CSHI has proven to be a fertile ground for learning about community involvement and systemic reform at the local level. A variety of studies confirm that parent involvement makes an enormous impact on students' attitude, attendance, and academic achievement.
Research indicates that family involvement in schools increases student achievement.
With the partnership of Public Agenda, PEN and LEFs are convening citizens in eight communities to identify the specific challenges and articulate the needs in delivering high-quality education services that help close the achievement gaps among students of varying racial and ethnic identities. As a part of this initiative, the network is building coalitions to identify gaps and barriers in successfully implementing school reform efforts. Through the development of local action plans, immediate action is taken in areas of professional development, curriculum change, district budgeting, parent involvement and school governance to comprehensively address issues of equity along racial lines This important work is supported by the W.K. Kellogg, Rockefeller, and Surdna Foundations. Implementing Standards-Based Reform Adopting and implementing high standards is a key strategy for ensuring a quality public education for every child. Clearly articulating what students should know and be able to do promotes both excellence as well as equity in public education.