The mission of the National Access Network is to promote meaningful educational opportunities for all children, especially those low-income and minority children currently being denied this opportunity. Access seeks to bring about this change by forming a national network of education litigators, policy-makers, and advocates, in order to strengthen the links between school finance litigation, public engagement, and education policy.

In fulfilling this mission, Access seeks to expand and strengthen the national movement of advocates who are seeking better resources for public education and improved public schools in all states and assist those seeking education and school funding reform.

We provide a national perspective, a nationally focused source of information, consultation, and media outreach to litigators, advocates, policy-makers, and other citizens who are involved in education reform. We do this in many ways:

Annual Quality Education Conference: Every year, the National Access Network convenes a conference which focuses on ensuring quality public schools for all children through school funding litigation, grassroots organizing, policy analysis, and excellent communications. The 2008 Quality Education Conference is our eighth annual conference, and it will be held on June 11 and 12 in Washington, D.C. See our conference page for more information.

Support Services: Education reform, particularly school funding issues, are typically played out on a state-level stage, but every state deals with the same needs, the same issues, and the same obstacles. The National Access Network provides information and support for litigators, advocates, and policy-makers across the country, who regularly contact us with requests for information. If you have any questions, please Contact Us!

News and Issue Analysis: The Access Network tracks and reports on major issues facing education reform, including: school funding litigation; education policy, including teaching quality, high-quality preschool, and school facilities; grassroots advocacy; and the No Child Left Behind Act. See our News page for this analysis.

Cost Study Information: The Access Network's website is the most up-to-date source of information for education "cost studies" - studies designed to determine the cost of providing an adequate education to all students in a state. See our Costing Out section for more information.

Media Outreach: The Access Network is frequently contacted by media outlets across the country for a national perspective on school funding litigation, cost studies, and other elements of the Quality Education movement. If you have any questions, please Contact Us!

Newsletter: The Access Network publishes a regular e-newsletter, School Funding Updates, with detailed analysis about what is going on across the country in school funding litigation, policy, and advocacy. See our Newsletter Archive for samples of our newsletter, or Join our contact list.