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

A Blueprint for Success
point averages (GPAs), SAT scores, high school graduation rates, college admission data, college persistence
and completion rates, as well as the time to graduation.
Similar to other college access programs featured in these case studies, FCE conducts external verification
of student academic data through transcripts and reports on SAT scores. FCE also tracks students
through the National Student Clearinghouse, though they are currently transitioning to a
computerized tracking program called Beyond 12. The information gathered by program staff is reviewed
frequently, for example, high school grades are reviewed in a quarterly basis, and college
grades are reviewed at the end of each quarter or semester. Moreover, college students are contacted
every month by email or social media; and students attending institutions in the Bay area (about 85
percent of FCE students) are visited annually. Communication with college students also includes
care packages and “goodie” bags prepared by staff and students’ parents as a mechanism for keeping
parents involved.
College & University Partnerships
Although FCE does not have formal partnerships with any individual college or university, they have
good relationships with a variety of post-secondary institutions that enroll a number of FCE students.
These institutions include:
Notre Dame de Namur
Santa Clara University
University of San Francisco
San Francisco State University
Foothill College
In addition, approximately 20 college and universities send admission officers to speak to students in
the College Bound program about admission requirements, requirements for majors, and college life.
The sessions are extremely important for the students, the vast majority of whom will be firstgeneration
college students and have little knowledge of the higher education system. Moreover,
FCE’s Assistant Director of College Success maintains relationships with admission officers through
frequent phone and email contact.
FCE has a more extensive relationship with Stanford University. Five members of FCE’s Board of
Directors and Advisory Board are Stanford professors or administrators, which helps FCE gain access
to the university’s many resources. In return, FCE has participated in Stanford’s Board Fellows program
and hired a SPIN (Stanford Program in Non-profits) fellow to assist with the organization’s
fund development. In the past, Stanford students, working under FCE Advisory Board member and
School of Education professor, Milbrey McLaughlin, undertook two important research projects for
Educational Policy Institute 78 www.educationalpolicy.org