Partnership For Equity And Education Rights

After decades of attacks on public schools and well-funded efforts to divert taxpayer dollars into private education, public support for the system that serves most American children has eroded. The Partnership for Equity and Education Rights (PEER) unites coalitions across more than 20 states to fight for fair school funding and defend the promise of public education.

Building a national movement across such a politically and culturally diverse network required more than a consultant—it required a partner agile enough to fill gaps in on-the-ground capacity, adapt to local policy landscapes and community mindsets, and drive a unifying national vision.

RALLY supported PEER coalitions by executing high-impact communications campaigns and building long-term communications capacity. We immersed ourselves in each coalition’s local context, studying political dynamics, media ecosystems, and cultural nuances to craft tailored narratives that linked school funding to broader community success, thereby helping coalitions reach and persuade new audiences.

To ensure lasting impact, we focused on sustainability as much as execution. We designed a multi-region training program with regular learning sessions, office hours, and a cross-state network that allowed coalitions to learn from and strengthen one another.

PEER coalitions have secured major wins across the country: Tennessee overhauled its funding formula and beat back a voucher push; Mississippi blocked a privatization effort; Michigan achieved multiple budget victories; and Pennsylvania won both legislative and judicial fights for equity. Today, dozens of advocates are trained in communications best practices, and PEER’s network is stronger than ever—sustaining the fight for public schools nationwide.

Coalition-centered work is at the heart of RALLY’s portfolio. We’ve built coalitions from the ground up and partnered with foundations to expand capacity and accelerate learning. Spanning issues from education to child care to homelessness, we’ve supported clients like the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Golden State for Kids, and Schoolhouse Connection in advancing meaningful, coalition-driven advocacy.