History

In 2002, when three major Pittsburgh foundations withdrew their financial support from the Pittsburgh Public Schools, and the Mayor created the Commission on Public Education, there was a genuine sense of crisis about this vital community resource. The Mayor's Commission, which included citizens from every interest group and section of town, worked hard for a year and came to consensus on a series of findings and recommendations based on extensive professional research, experience from other cities, and input from dozens of neighborhood meetings. That work became the basis for a genuine movement to bring Pittsburgh into that company of American cities which are confronting the challenges in their public education systems.

The Mayor's Commission on Public Education put forth an agenda for action on school reform. A+ Schools: Pittsburgh's Community Alliance for Public Education, is the organization called for in the Commission's report to provide the leadership to recommit the community to high expectations for our public school system.