Economic Policy Institute
www.epinet.org
The Economic Policy Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that seeks to broaden the public debate about strategies to achieve a prosperous and fair economy. EPI conducts original research on economic issues and makes policy recommendations based on its findings. Established in 1986, EPI was the first -- and remains the premier -- organization to focus on the economic condition of low- and middle-income Americans and their families. The Institute stresses real world analysis and a concern for the living standards of working people and it makes its findings accessible to the general public, the media, and policy makers.

Forward in the Fifth
www.fif.org
Forward in the Fifth's vision is that members of our communities will have the educational opportunities necessary to live full and productive lives. Its mission is to: raise educational levels in the region; encourage life-long learning by providing opportunities for parents, educators, and community members; and to foster partnerships between communities and schools.

Help Your Community
www.helpyourcommunity.org
Helpyourcommunity.org attempts to assist community coalitions bring groups together to solve local problems. A community coalition is an alliance of local groups who share a desire to create positive change in their community. Such groups band together to solve a problem and make their community a safer, healthier, and happier place for all to live.

National Coalition of Education Activists (NCEA)
www.nceaonline.org
The National Coalition of Education Activists (NCEA) is a multiracial membership organization of parents, teachers, school staff, union and community activists, and child advocates who share the goal of creating public schools that serve all children well. NCEA provides a forum for discussion and strategy development on racial and economic inequities in education that affect student achievement; helps local activists join education policy debates; links individuals with like-minded activists and resources; publishes education and organizing materials in layperson's terms. NCEA produces a newsletter, Action for Better Schools, organizes a national conference and workshops, and disseminates information about research, materials, and training provided by others.

National Council of Churches (Education section)
www.ncccusa.org/about/educationhome.html
The NCC's education priorities are: 1) Programs and resources for strengthening families, so that every child may grow up and fulfill his or her full potential; 2) Leadership development for congregational leaders; 3) Action programs for dismantling institutional racism, 4) Creative projects to enhance and foster spiritual formation, and 5) Promotion and support of high quality, comprehensive public education.

People for the American Way (Public Education section)
www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=12
People for the American Way is an energetic advocate for the values and institutions that sustain a diverse democratic society. PFAW works in close collaboration with other leading national and state progressive organizations on a variety of issues, including Public Education.

Project Vote Smart
www.vote-smart.org
Project Vote Smart tracks and provides information on candidate and elected officials, including voting records, performance evaluations, campaign contributions, and background information. The site features a comprehensive list of government related links and access to information on elections, federal and state government, issues, and politics.

Schools for Quality Education
www2.educ.ksu.edu/Organizations/Centers/SQE/SQEMenu.html
A Kansas group concerned about consolidation, funding, and other issues. Website provides useful tracking of legislative activity.

Students Against Testing
www.nomoretests.org
Students Against Testing was created to be a strong force against the score-obsessed education machine known as standardized testing. At the same time, SAT also exists as an advocate for bringing positive, creative and real-life learning activities into the schools.