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

A Blueprint for Success
VIII — Foundation for a College Education
2160 Euclid Ave.
East Palo Alto, CA 94303
650-322-5048 (v)
650-327-9977 (f)
www.collegefoundation.org
Anna L. Waring, PhD, Executive Director
awaring@collegefoundation.org
Foundation for a College Education is a model of a relatively
small program that successfully encourages high school students
to aspire to and prepare for college success. The program
seeks to benefit communities as well as individual students
by actively engaging students and parents in the college
preparation process. As the program has expanded, it has become
more intentional about tracking data related to program
content and delivery, in addition to the focus on student data.
The program was designed to meet the specific needs of a target
population in California, and this focus is both a strength
of the program and a potential challenge to program replication.
Program Overview
Foundation for a College Education (FCE) works to increase
the number of students of color from East Palo Alto and surrounding
communities who graduate from a four-year college
or university. FCE provides a comprehensive college access
and retention program through academic tutoring, leadership
training, and college counseling that enables students to graduate
from high school and enroll in and graduate from college.
One key component of the program is parental involvement,
which helps families advocate for their children and
work to create a community where higher education is attainable.
FCE’s motto is “high expectations lead to high achieve-
GENERAL INFORMATION:
§ Program began operation in 1995
§ This is a Non-­‐profit Program
§ This is a community-­‐based program
§ This program operates during the:
☐ Academic Year
☐ Summer
þ Both
§ Services are provided during
☐ During regular school hours
þ After school hours
☐ Weekends
§ Services students in: East Palo Alto
and surrounding communities
§ Urbanicity: Urban area; Suburban
area
§ Duration of Program: More than one
academic year
§ Typical number of years students are
in the program: more than 5 years
§ Primary services are provided at:
Community center/agency
§ Grade level when students enter the
program: 9
§ Students served:
o 2008-­‐09 = 145
o 2009-­‐10 = 145
§ Parental Component: Yes. FAFSA
counseling/guidance; Campus visits
and tours; Meeting with
college/university faculty or students;
Participation in student activities;
Family counseling; Motivational
speakers
§ Program Funding Provided By:
Business/Industry; Private
Foundation; Individual; Fundraising
§ Targeted Population: Low income;
Historically underrepresented
minorities; First generation to attend
college; High school students
§
ment.” Recognizing that getting their students into college is only the first step, FCE continues to
support students in college to ensure they graduate with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Educational Policy Institute 74 www.educationalpolicy.org