Communities for Teaching Excellence

Communities for Teaching Excellence is a new non-partisan organization that will work with local communities to build a broad-based network of stakeholders (parents, students, teachers, business, civic and community groups) to advocate for effective teachers for all students, in particular, low-income students and students of color. Over its first two years, Communities for Teaching Excellence will focus on building support for effective teaching reforms in the local communities where The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has made intensive partnership grants to improve teacher effectiveness (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Hillsborough County, Florida; Memphis, Tennessee; and Los Angeles, California). Communities for Teaching Excellence seeks to elevate voices from each of these communities to be included in local and national policy and media discussions. By leveraging a range of tactics—from policy research, to strategic communications, to community organizing—Communities for Teaching Excellence will bolster public demand and political will to ensure that all students are taught by an effective teacher in every subject, every year.

During its first 18 months, Communities for Teaching Excellence will operate as a special project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) that will act as a fiscal sponsor until Communities for Teaching Excellence establishes independent 501(c)3 status.