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

A Blueprint for Success
VII — Education is Freedom
2711 N. Haskell Ave., Ste 2070 LB 18, Dallas, TX 75204
214-432-8550 (v) 214-370-5000 (f)
www.educationisfreedom.org
Marcia Page, President and CEO
mpage@educationisfreedom.org
Interview completed with Dr. Tiffany Gurley-Alloway, VP of
Evaluation and Accountability
(tgurley-alloway@educationisfreedom.org)
Education is Freedom provides an example of an effective
model to encourage middle and high school students to aspire
to and achieve a college degree. Working with a relatively
small staff-to-students ratio, the model is designed to be
quickly replicated at other schools and school districts. This
has permitted the program to expand quickly in the past few
years without jeopardizing program quality or student success
outcomes. Further, data-driven decisions are supported by a
comprehensive data collection, analysis, and database systems
structure that is consistent across program sites.
Program Overview
Education is Freedom (EIF) was founded in 2002 by a visionary
corporate CEO who “envisioned a world where every
young person could pursue a college education and was
committed to creating an educated workforce that could
build effective companies and strong communities in today’s
knowledge-based economy.” To achieve these goals, EIF initially
offered renewable scholarships to first-time college students.
However, it was soon revealed that financial support
alone was insufficient to ensure college success, especially for
students with profound social or economic barriers.
In 2003, EIF launched a program to provide comprehensive,
school-based college planning services to students in the Dallas
Independent School District (Dallas ISD). Targeting Dallas
ISD was of particular importance given the lack of college-
GENERAL INFORMATION:
§ Program began operation in 2002
§ This is a Non-­‐profit Program
§ This is a school-­‐based program
§ This program operates during the:
☐ Academic Year
☐ Summer
þ Both
§ Services are provided during
þ During regular school hours
þ After school hours
þ Weekends
§ Services students in: Dallas
Independent School District. For the
2011-­‐2012 school year, EIF will be
serving 23 comprehensive high
schools and 6 middle schools. EIF will
expand services to 3 middle schools in
DeSoto ISD beginning fall 2011.
§ Urbanicity: Urban area
§ Duration of Program: More than one
academic year
§ Typical number of years students are
in the program: 4
§ Primary services are provided at:
Middle or secondary schools
§ Grade level when students enter the
program: 6-­‐12
§ Students served:
o 2008-­‐09 = 2840
o 2009-­‐10 = 8567
o 2010-­‐11 = 11500
§ Parental Component: Yes. FAFSA
counseling/guidance; Meeting with
college/university faculty or students;
Motivational speakers; parent life
skills workshops.
§ Program Funding Provided By: Local
School System; Community
Organization; Business/Industry;
Private Foundation; Individual;
College/University.
§ Demographics Served: Low income;
Historically underrepresented
minorities; First generation to attend
college; Middle and high school
students.
going orientation in the area and the population demographics. Schools in Dallas ISD are mainly in
urban settings with many transient students. Eighty-seven percent of Dallas ISD students are low-
Educational Policy Institute 62 www.educationalpolicy.org