FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a local education fund?
How are The Alliance for Quality Education (AFQE) board members selected?
Why aren't taxes paying for these programs?
How does The Alliance for Quality Education (AFQE) define its goals and what will be The Alliance for Quality Education (AFQE) focus in the years ahead?
How are The Alliance for Quality Education (AFQE) projects evaluated?
What is a local education fund?
Local Education Funds began in the 1980s to mobilize public support for public schools. LEFs work independently from the school districts in which they are located and have their own staff and board of directors. But we work closely with the schools. We listen and learn from our best teachers. We include top district administrators as ex-officio members of our Board of Directors. We try to be as responsive as possible to principals, administrators and teachers who seek to take an innovative approach to improve teaching and learning.
How are The Alliance for Quality Education (AFQE) board members selected?
Board members serve 3-year terms and are nominated to serve by current members. Board members can be reelected for a second three year term. We strive to have a Board that represents the diversity of our community. Where does The Alliance for Quality Education (AFQE) get its funding? Businesses, individuals and foundations support The Alliance for Quality Education (AFQE) through gifts of their time and dollars. We are attempting to grow our number of individual donors. No gift is too small.
Why aren't taxes paying for these programs?
Local tax dollars pay about 27% of the school district's $448 million budget (visit SC Dept of Education for more information). Another 58% comes from state and about 11% from the federal government all of which are earmarked for salaries, supplies and equipment. In addition, the maintenance and construction of buildings is usually around $30 million. The Alliance for Quality Education (AFQE) uses their dollars to provide funds where tax dollars don't reach. Initiatives include high quality teacher training, programs that require students to take responsibility for their learning, and expansion and replication of successful programs that would not happen without the funding, coordination and encouragement that The Alliance for Quality Education (AFQE) provides. The Alliance for Quality Education (AFQE) dollars are flexible and expand the community's involvement in public education.
How does The Alliance for Quality Education (AFQE) define its goals and what will be The Alliance for Quality Education (AFQE) focus in the years ahead?
The Alliance for Quality Education (AFQE) depends heavily on research, data and state and local issues and examination of best practices to determine a three year plan of work. We refine and revise our plans on an annual basis. We recognize that the investment of our donors is essential to improving student achievement and we monitor our progress.
Focus Areas for 2008
GOAL: Quality Teaching
We will initiate programs that have a measurable impact on the successful induction, development, and retention of quality teachers.
GOAL: Community Engagement
We will build community knowledge and understanding of the public education system in Greenville County and increase community participation in improving public education at the school, district, and state levels.
GOAL: Parent Involvement
We will increase participation of hard to reach parents and other adults in the education of their children.
GOAL: Public Policy
We will work to impact the passage of legislation and policies at the state, federal, and local school board levels that improve the quality of education in Greenville County.
How are The Alliance for Quality Education (AFQE) projects evaluated?
Each project is evaluated. All programs have measurable goals and schools and teachers make presentations to our board. We also use outside evaluators from time to time.