Mission

Vision

States fulfill their fiduciary duty to the common school trust beneficiaries.

Mission

Educate and advocate on behalf of public school children for prudent and profitable management of the school trust lands and permanent funds.

Authority

CLASS is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Utah in 2000 and granted 501 (c) 3 status in 2002.

Core Values/Guiding Principles

The following critical success factors are considered essential for success:

• The common school trust lands are the birthright of the public school children.
• The common school permanent funds created from these trust lands and their proceeds are also the birthright of the public school children.
• Conduct business with honor and integrity.
• Frame all common school trust lands and permanent fund ("assets") issues in terms of education.
• Seek win-win solutions.
• Respect the unique characteristics of each trust, beneficiary, and state.
• Build and foster long-term relationships.

Description

The Children's Land Alliance is a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Utah to provide information and services to education communities in twenty-four states. Prior to CLASS, there has been no organization of the beneficiaries of these trusts, though lands were granted for the support of education beginning in 1803.

Benefits of these collaborative efforts by education leaders include improved education through increased funding from school trusts, support by education communities for congressional actions that benefit school lands and schools, increased revenue from permanent school funds through investment strategies, provision of information to support the land managers, and assistance in the development of public information about the trust lands and their purpose for the children.