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2010 Annual Diversity Discussion
What Must Change to Make Diversity Work More Effectively in Companies?
February 18, 2010 - 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Sponsored By:
Georgia Power
Turner
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Inside the Atlanta Partners for Education
by Tom Hough
May 4, 2009
According to the Institute for
Corporate Productivity writer Judy London, collaboration among business, government, education and
community groups is a basic requirement in shaping school reform.
The Metro Atlanta Chamber and the Atlanta Public Schools (APS) realize that a strong
educational system is critical to the success of Atlanta's economic development and school reform.
In 1981, the Atlanta Partners for Education (APFE) was created to address this issue.
APFE is a joint initiative of the Metro Atlanta Chamber and APS. Its mission to enhance and
improve the quality of education for students is met by establishing and maintaining high-caliber
and creative partnerships between APS schools and Atlanta-area businesses, nonprofits, higher
education, religious, social and other professional organizations. Partnerships formed through this
alliance are awesome and inspiring - just like the children served.
APFE partnerships match partner-provided resources to identified needs of the school. There
are currently more than 300 partners participating in more than 400 partnerships, with many
organizations partnering with more than one school or program.
Opportunities currently exist for partnerships at the elementary, middle and high school
levels, as well as with specific school programs, individual grades or classes, and system-wide
programs.
Dr. Beverly L. Hall, 2009 National Superintendent of the year, credits her success in part
to a coalition of business and community leaders who understood that comprehensive reform and
support was critical in order to revitalize Atlanta Public Schools and Atlanta's economy. Under Dr.
Hall's leadership, Atlanta Public Schools has been on a path of consistent, positive progress.
The Metro Atlanta Chamber and Atlanta Public Schools value the community support it receives
through its partnerships and recognizes the importance of celebrating the partnerships, and
acknowledging the good work that both the schools and businesses do each day. It is important for
the community get involved, stay informed and support public education through APFE's programs -
The State of Schools, Principal for A Day and A+ Awards.
APFE recently hosted the annual State of the Schools address where Dr. Hall reported to
community, business leaders and elected officials on systemic reform efforts, ongoing challenges
and her vision for the future of Atlanta Public Schools. Schools infuse a vitality into
neighborhoods that is essential to commerce and trade. They help areas to grow and develop by
attracting families, individuals and service agencies. Good schools are good for business; this is
why it is important for you to learn about your schools at the 6th Annual State of the Schools in
Atlanta held in August 2009.
Principal for A Day (PFAD), now in its 10th year, has recruited more than 500 business,
civic and political leaders, entertainers and sports celebrities to spend a morning in Atlanta
Public Schools to experience a day in the life of a principal. The program creates first-hand
awareness of the progress our schools have made and the challenges they face. With long-time
support of our premier sponsor, Merrill Lynch, along with this year's co-chair and Bank of America
President, Milton Jones, PFAD serves as a clear call to action for school-based partnership
recruitment. This year the Orientation Breakfast will take place on September 25, 2009, and the
in-school event followed by the PFAD Celebratory luncheon will occur on October 13, 2009, at the
Omni Hotel.
Tom Hough is vice chair & southeast managing partner, Ernst & Young LLP and chair of Atlanta Public Schools Education Committee for the Metro Atlanta Chamber.
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