A BluePrint for Success: Case Studies of Successful - Educational ...

A Blueprint for Success
pecially foundations and corporate partners, are most interested in the outcomes data such as high
school graduation and college enrollment rates. These data are also of particular interest to the school
district, which sees the value of BBF.
Before BBF formally adopted the “Crossing the Bridge” component, there was no formal structure
to track college graduation rates. All of the prior data is unverified, largely collected through success
stories shared by students through media such as Facebook. For example, many students have gone
on to become teachers and engineers and stay in touch with the program through the alumni network.
Tobi Swartz, Director of Bridges to a Brighter Future, indicated in a phone interview that
BBF is very excited to be able to track and validate college outcome data, because it will enable them
to target program improvements to help higher percentages of students graduate from college.
College & University Partnerships
Bridges to a Brighter Future is a Furman University program. The two full-time staff are Furman
University employees. Bridges does not have a separate 501(c)(3), as it falls under Furman’s nonprofit
status. BBF is included in the University’s Strategic Plan.
Additionally, Bridges is increasing the number of partnerships with colleges because of the Crossing
the Bridge program. In addition to working formally with students through their college experiences,
Bridges conducts a week-long series of intense workshops and classes about college success. To facilitate
these, Bridges intentionally brings in speakers from outside of Furman, typically from other colleges
that Bridges students attend. For example, the chief judicial officer from USC presented about
common mistakes students make in behavior and discipline. Many Bridges graduates go on to USC
Upstate. Bridges staff also have relationships with the admissions officers at many of the commonly
attended colleges and universities. One of Bridges’ volunteer groups is a group of Hispanic graduate
students in the sciences at Clemson. The group provides tutors and planned a tour for Bridges where
they brought students to visit the research facilities at Clemson.
Evidence of Success
The first cohort of students graduated in 2000, so there have been 11 cohorts to date. Based on the
data from these cohorts, the program is having a positive influence on student graduation from high
school and college enrollment. The limited data available on college completion also indicates that
the program is assisting students to persist and complete a college degree.
Student Retention in Bridges to a Brighter Future
The program has a goal of 100 percent retention of participants from acceptance in 9th grade
through HS graduation, but the actual retention over the last 6 years is 89 percent. This is equal to
losing approximately two students in one class of 27 over a three year period. To ensure high retention,
the program obtains student grade reports quarterly to ensure they stay on track academically
and are not at risk of failure in a class or an entire quarter. Retention had been as low as 50 percent
Educational Policy Institute 22 www.educationalpolicy.org