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Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) is a non-partisan, non-profit leadership development organization for Teach For America (TFA) corps members and alumni.[1] It's stated mission is achieve educational equity "by inspiring and empowering a diverse movement of leaders to engage civically and politically on behalf of children in their communities."[2]

LEE aims to help it's members develop as elected leaders, policymakers, advocates, and community organizers through fellowships, workshops, coaching, and networking.[3][4]

The organization has 34,600 members, including 110 members in elected office and 330 leaders in policy and advocacy positions.[2] The organization is a 501(c)4 and raised over $38 million dollars in 2013 and 2014.[5]

Approach[edit]

LEE members "bring a valuable perspective to education shaped by their experience teaching and leading in high-needs schools"[6] according to their website and the organization seeks to develop leaders who are visionary, strategic, community-driven, reflective and self-aware, and values-driven.[7]

LEE does this through fellowships like the Policy and Advocacy Summer Fellowship[8]; workshops like the Policy Leadership Academy[9], Diversity in Elected Leadership Series[10], and National Organizing Workshop[11]; and networking on the membership-only section of the LEE website.[12]

LEE was founded in 2007 and as a 501(c)4, can engage in both educational and political activity.[13] LEE is non-partisan and both Democratic[14] and Republican[15] members have been elected to office.

Criticism[edit]

Critics also charge LEE favors pro-privatization candidates who support vouchers or charter schools:[16] While there are numerous instances of LEE-supported candidates favoring school choices [CITATIONS], the organization did not support[12] the sole LEE member who has publicly opposed charter schools and supported unions.[17] In addition, two of five board members of the organization support school privatization[18]CITE and members may "favor a certain approach after being immersed in TFA's philosophy," according to professor Patrick McGuinn, who has studied advocacy in K-12 education. [13]

LEE rejects this argument, with founder and executive director Michael Buman says the organization is "policy agnostic."[12] LEE member and elected official Jason Esteves asserts that "most people underestimate the difference of opinions in the alumni base."[19]

LEE has been criticized for it's lack of transparency, particularly around its funders. [16] [18]

Alumni[edit]

According to self-reported numbers, there are 110 LEE alumni holding public office.[2] The following is a partial list:

Name Office Type State Office held Term(s)
Monica Trejo School Board Arizona Tempe Elementary School District Governing Board 2017 - 2021
Andrew Blumenfield School Board California La Cañada Unified School District Board of Education 2012-2015
Michael Vargas School Board Texas San Benito Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees 2015-2018
Erika Beltran School Board (state) Texas Texas State Board of Education 2015-2018
Miguel Solis School Board Texas Dallas Independent School District Board of Trustees 2014-2017
  1. ^ "Who We Are". Leadership for Educational Equity. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  2. ^ a b c "Leadership for Educational Equity One Pager" (PDF). educationalequity.org/. LEE. Retrieved 2016-01-02.
  3. ^ "Who We Are". Leadership for Educational Equity. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  4. ^ "Growing the Movement". Leadership for Educational Equity. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  5. ^ "LEE 990 Form (2014)" (PDF). Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  6. ^ "Our Members". Leadership for Educational Equity. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  7. ^ "Why Leadership?". Leadership for Educational Equity. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  8. ^ "Policy & Advocacy Summer Fellowship Overview for Host Organizations". Leadership for Educational Equity. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  9. ^ "A Space to Reflect and Refine Your Leadership". Leadership for Educational Equity. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  10. ^ "Why Not Me? LEE Member Discovers His Ability to Lead at AAPLP". Leadership for Educational Equity. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  11. ^ "Looking for a way to get organized? NOW's your chance". Leadership for Educational Equity. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  12. ^ a b c "Teach for America's Deep Bench". The American Prospect. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  13. ^ a b Sawchuk, Stephen (2014-01-15). "Teach For America Spinoff Helps Alumni Gain Influence - Education Week". Education Week. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  14. ^ "State Sen. Michael Johnston reflects on six years of education reform as term ends | Chalkbeat". www.chalkbeat.org. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  15. ^ "Next NC superintendent's Teach for America work was foundation for education views". newsobserver. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  16. ^ a b "Teaching for America". www.rethinkingschools.org. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  17. ^ "Stuck in the Middle: Steve Zimmer | LA School Report". laschoolreport.com. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  18. ^ a b "New Hub group organizes parents, teachers, students for education agenda". Retrieved 2017-01-02.
  19. ^ "After a Devastating Scandal, Can Reformers Clean Up Atlanta's Schools?". NationSwell. 2016-12-22. Retrieved 2017-01-02.
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