User:F.I.L.A./sandbox

Leadership for Educational Equity (LEE) is a non-partisan, non-profit leadership development organization for Teach For America (TFA) corps members and alumni. It's stated mission is achieve educational equity "by inspiring and empowering a diverse movement of leaders to engage civically and politically on behalf of children in their communities."

LEE aims to help it's members develop as elected leaders, policymakers, advocates, and community organizers through fellowships, workshops, coaching, and networking.

The organization has 34,600 members, including 110 members in elected office and 330 leaders in policy and advocacy positions. The organization is a 501(c)4 and raised over $38 million dollars in 2013 and 2014.

Approach
LEE members "bring a valuable perspective to education shaped by their experience teaching and leading in high-needs schools" according to their website and the organization seeks to develop leaders who are visionary, strategic, community-driven, reflective and self-aware, and values-driven.

LEE does this through fellowships like the Policy and Advocacy Summer Fellowship ; workshops like the Policy Leadership Academy, Diversity in Elected Leadership Series , and National Organizing Workshop ; and networking on the membership-only section of the LEE website.

LEE was founded in 2007 and as a 501(c)4, can engage in both educational and political activity. LEE is non-partisan and both Democratic and Republican members have been elected to office.

Criticism
Critics also charge LEE favors pro-privatization candidates who support vouchers or charter schools: While there are numerous instances of LEE-supported candidates favoring school choices [CITATIONS], the organization did not support the sole LEE member who has publicly opposed charter schools and supported unions. In addition, two of five board members of the organization support school privatization CITE and members may "favor a certain approach after being immersed in TFA's philosophy," according to professor Patrick McGuinn, who has studied advocacy in K-12 education.

LEE rejects this argument, with founder and executive director Michael Buman says the organization is "policy agnostic." LEE member and elected official Jason Esteves asserts that "most people underestimate the difference of opinions in the alumni base."

LEE has been criticized for it's lack of transparency, particularly around its funders.

Alumni
According to self-reported numbers, there are 110 LEE alumni holding public office. The following is a partial list: