I’m Interested in Education
Research has shown clearly that a high-quality education gives children and young adults access to the opportunities that we all want for our children. Yet providing a quality education for all youth is a daunting challenge. The following “Getting Started” materials provide an essential overview, as well as key insights and perspectives for anyone interested in improving the education system in the United States. In the “Deeper Dives” section, you’ll find more detail on education innovations with expansion potential, successful school models, and the ways in which some organizations are overcoming the challenges of providing high-quality educational opportunities to at-risk youth.
Our Latest Publications
Can We Crack Four Problems to Unleash Quality Education for All?
(Bridgespan Group; Barry Newstead, Caitrin Moran Wright, Susan J. Colby)
As we reflect on our work and research in education, we hypothesize that at least four systemic problems, which have not been widely addressed in reform, are inhibiting our ability to effect breakthrough change so schools can provide high-quality education for every student. This paper focuses on high-potential innovations that may address these questions.
(Bridgespan Group; Susan J. Colby)
Great schools and great teaching can eradicate the effects of poverty in terms of student achievement. While we stay relentlessly focused on the goal, we need to be open to innovative approaches and diverse leadership so that all students can achieve their dreams. (This material includes video of Susan Colby's May 2010 speech at the NewSchools Venture Fund Summit as well as a transcript of the speech and slides from her presentation.)
Getting Started:
The Secret of Successful Schools
(Education Next; Barry Newstead, Amy Saxton, Susan J. Colby)
U.S. public school leaders increasingly agree about the elements that drive student results, such as a college preparatory curriculum and instructional coaching. So why do some schools sustain high graduation and college acceptance rates while others—with similar school designs, student demographics, and budget constraints—struggle with 50 percent drop-out rates? This article, published in the Spring 2008 Education Next, examines the factors that yield more effective schools.
Harnessing the Transformative Effects of Higher Education
(Bridgespan Group; William Bedsworth, Susan J. Colby, Joe Doctor)
What kinds of supports make the greatest difference in helping low-income youth prepare for and enroll in college? To find answers, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation engaged The Bridgespan Group to analyze data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study. We discovered that, not surprisingly, academic preparation is by far the most effective means of increasing the odds that students will graduate from high school and be successful in attaining a college degree. Academic preparation alone, however, is not sufficient. Other important factors include: a student’s expectation that a college degree will be essential to pursue his or her desired career; peer culture (particularly having a cohort of friends who plan to attend college); and supports that address the issue of college affordability. (This article is also available in an Executive Summary in PDF format.)
Deeper Dives:
(Bridgespan Group; Susan J. Colby)
"My challenge—to myself and to all of you—is to focus relentlessly on the destination of all children having the means to achieve their dreams."
Materials from Susan Colby's May 2010 Newschools Venture Fund Summit Presentation "Our Journey: All Means All"
Preparing Low-Income Students for High School Graduation, College, and Beyond
(Bridgespan Group)
Incorporating video, text and sample documents, this case study explores the "nuts and bolts" of how YES Prep Public Schools, a charter organization based in Houston, Texas, succeeds in preparing low-income students not only to graduate from high school, but also to enter college ready to meet the challenges of a post-secondary education. A related case study, Honing the Pathways of Growth, discusses how YES’s leadership initially kept the organization small, wanting to prove its educational model worked, and then developed a growth plan.
From Data and Decisions to Implementation and Results on Dropout Prevention
(Bridgespan Group; Daniel Stid, Susan J. Colby, Kate O'Neill)
Many school district leaders, particularly those in urban areas, struggle to reduce dropout rates but find themselves overwhelmed by the dimensions of the problem. This case study discusses how the Portland Oregon Public Schools made notable progress towards reducing the number of dropouts and ensuring that students earn high school diplomas in a timely manner.
(Bridgespan Group; Susan J. Colby, Kimberly Wicoff)
Don Shalvey founded Aspire Public Schools in 1999 to provide an alternative to poorly performing public schools in California. By its fifth anniversary, Aspire was operating ten schools in the Central Valley and Bay Area. But Shalvey and his Aspire colleagues wanted to transform education for all kids in the state. This case study details the organization’s growth planning process.
Two years into its expansion plan, Aspire Public Schools was on track in terms of school openings, but behind on its goals to add a layer of management. The schools were performing well, but the nonprofit’s leaders were stretched paper thin. This case study discusses how Aspire’s leaders set out to build an organization that could support their expansion plans.
(Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)
Three guides—one each for school leaders, district administrators and data analysts—from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Each contains data, insight, actions, and other tools for improving student achievement based on the Foundation's research in some of the nation's largest school districts.
Created in 2002 by the Education Sciences Reform Act, the Institute for Education Sciences Web site features a wide range of education research as well as links to four specific centers focused on research, statistics, evaluation and special education.
Searchable database of more than 1.2 million bibliographic records from journal articles, books, conference papers and other materials about education. Includes full-text links when available.
An initiative of the Institute for Education Sciences, What Works Clearinghouse offers research evidence and teacher guides for educational practices that have been proven to work.
Education Sector is a nonprofit think tank "that challenges conventional thinking in education policy." The organization's stated mission is to promote policy and practice changes that will improve student opportunities and outcomes.
Online publication dedicated to coverage of local, state and national news surrounding K-through-12 education.
(KQED)
This KQED video segment examines some creative ways California schools are working to overcome the state's gap in science education.