The top challenges to local public education identified through the focus groups (conducted from February through April 2004) are:

• Hire, train, and retain the best of the best personnel
• Increase parental engagement, support, and empowerment
• Improve the high school achievement level
• Decrease the high school drop-out rate

The Programs & Initiatives committees consist of a number of dedicated volunteers who have the desire for public school excellence.  Each of the committees listed, along with Educators' Express, meet regularly to focus on their goals and objectives set by their group. 

 Activities vary and range from community focus groups, parent workshops, school data analysis, encouraging students to remain in school, radio spots, collection and distribution of resources for our free store for public school teachers, teacher surveys, and much more.