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Partners in Public Education has been awarded a $300,000 grant from

The Assisi Foundation of Memphis, with the potential of an additional $700,000 if the organizationraises $1.2 million by May 2009.

PIPE provides leadership development for principals, teachers andadministrators, and other programs targeting community engagementand accountability. It recently took an advisory role in

Memphis City Schools’ search for a new superintendent.

“We are proud of our accomplishments, and with this funding,we will be able to intensify our efforts to help create a districtthat underscores classroom learning, student performance, and whoseoperations are known for innovation and success,” said EtheleHilliard, PIPE’s president, in a statement.

“PIPE’s leadership as an independent local educationfund is crucial as our new superintendent and our community work tocreate the kind of schools and learning environment that ourstudents deserve,” Jan Young, executive director of theAssisi Foundation, said in a statement.

Larry Brown, PIPE’s board chairman, said the organizationwill look for community support to meet the goals set in thechallenge grant.

PIPE is a member of the Public Education Network, a nationalnetwork of more than 80 local education funds leading schoolimprovement efforts in their cities. PEN’s members representmore than 12 million students in 32 states, the District ofColumbia and Puerto Rico.