Launched in 2004, the Chalkboard Project is a non-profit, non-partisan organization working to unite Oregonians to make our K-12 public schools among the nation’s best. We aim to help create a more informed and engaged public that understands and addresses the tough choices and trade-offs required to build strong schools.

1. Salem Chamber • 2008

2. “Projects won't succeed unless they have buy-in from the rank-and-file people doing the work. Chalkboard understands that.” - Statesman Journal

4. Find out what works -- independently, with no pre-set agenda

5. Build coalitions to develop common sense improvements

6. Engage citizens, follow research and input, and be willing to test promising ideas, too

7. Involve local CommunitiesOur mission: Uniting Oregonians to make our schools among the nation’s best

8. Uniting Oregonians to make our schools among the best in the nation WHERE WE STARTED WHAT WE HEARD Accountability Stable/Adequate Funding Student Success Quality Teacher/Administrator qualityBest practices - grants HOW WE MAKE PROGRESS Advocacy and citizen engagement Public Opinion Polling and Focus Groups Closing the achievement gap “Best Practices” Research and Expert Workgroups

9. Goal: Enhance educator quality: Mentoring Program Goal: Enhance early learning and drop out prevention Goal: Improve financial practices and accountability Goal: Strengthen K-12 funding Legislative Agenda

10. Pop Quiz! What percent of new teachers leave the profession within their first five years? 15 percent 28 percent 37 percent 46 percent 37 percent!

11. CLASS ProjectCreative Leadership Achieves Student Success The CLASS Project is an expanded career opportunity created locally by teachers with the aim of enhancing their students’ achievement. “A school culture of collaboration, innovation, creativity, and accountability is required to provide our students 21st century skills. The CLASS Project is the cornerstone to our shift towards these higher standards.” -Eric Beasley, Sherwood Teacher

14. New Opportunities for Recruiting and Retaining High Quality Teachers and Staff

15. 21st Knowledge and Skills for 21stCentury Teaching and Learning

16. Teachers Excited About Teaching…. Students Excited About Learning

17. We listened to Oregonians. We developed pilot projects. We implemented key initiatives.

24. Be our eyes and ears in communities—what are the important education issues?