ABOUT LAWRENCE EDUCATION ACHIEVEMENT PARTNERS

A strong educational system is the foundation of a prosperous community. Recognizing this, the Lawrence Public Schools and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce collaborated to form the Lawrence Business/Education Partnership in 1993.

After 10 successful years, we changed the name to Lawrence Education Achievement Partners (LEAP) to recognize the wide range of organizations involved and our shared commitment to supporting student achievement.

The Goal
LEAP establishes mutually beneficial partnerships between community businesses/organizations and schools that enrich learning by sharing knowledge, time, and resources. Partnership activities are tailored to the needs and resources of each school and organization/business.

Milestones

• The School Business Task force took on the charge to identify a means through which the Lawrence Public Schools and the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce could cooperatively prepare a well-qualified workforce. To assess the community’s vision for this joint venture, the task force surveyed teachers, administrators, businesses, parents, students, elected officials, and other chambers and school districts.
  
• Based on the survey results, the Lawrence Public Schools formed a partnership with the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce called the Lawrence Business/Education Partnership.
  
• In 1993, the Partnership hired its first Director and formed a Board of Directors.
  
• In 1994, the Partnership launched the program with 20 Business/Education Partners. By the spring of 1998, we had grown to 93.
  
• In 2003, we changed our name to Lawrence Education Achievement Partners (LEAP) to recognize the wide range of organizations involved and our commitment to supporting student achievement.
  
• On January 1, 2007, LEAP and the Lawrence Schools Foundation created an alliance. They will each remain seperate organizations, with seperate boards and financial reports, but will share staff. Together they plan to build relationships and resources.