For over 30 years, the Partners in Education public school program has been instrumental in bringing together the world of business with the neighborhood school to enrich the educational experiences of students. Even before the extensive use of computers shattered the boundaries of classroom walls, educators recognized the value of learning that reached beyond the school. Field trips to zoos, museums, parks, the symphony and other such sites expand the student’s view of the world and his place in it. Positive interaction with adult role models, in addition to family members and teachers, is a vitally important part of a student's personal and academic growth.

Partners In Education is national and international in scope. Most of the 50 states now participate, with state organizations boasting 7500 grassroots member programs. Because of the Partners In Education program, classroom teachers can count corporate, government, civic and other community leaders, along with many professional associations, as their allies in the delivery of instruction. Currently, the organization has seven million volunteers involved in more than 400,000 partnerships nationwide. Business partners are a diverse group. From the neighborhood bakery, that congratulates elementary students with free cookies to recognize perfect attendance or improved grades, to the corporate giant that provides mentors and college scholarships for high school entrepreneurs, each business partner's contribution is valuable and reaps incalculable dividends.

Partners In Education is a Win-Win situation for all. The commitment to partner with a school or school organization is an informal one that can last a school year, or as long as the partner desires. The partner, school principal and school liaison determine goals and activities for the year. Some partners visit their partner schools weekly, some monthly. The beauty of the program is its flexibility.