Education

We believe in the power of a high-quality education to break intergenerational cycles of poverty, and we recognize the growing importance of a post-secondary degree to do so. Yet providing a quality education for all youth is a daunting challenge. The following research and insights share perspectives and examples of how some organizations are improving the education system in the United States and are overcoming the challenges of providing high-quality educational opportunities to at-risk youth

Featured Research and Insights

Rethinking High School Turnarounds

In June 2012, Green Dot Public Schools and The Bridgespan Group convened a small group of education leaders focused on high school turnaround and transformation. This article explores some of what we learned about problems of practice and potential solutions—all toward the ultimate goal of college and career readiness for every student.

Reclaiming the American Dream

Academic preparation is critical to increasing the odds that students will graduate from high school and attain college degrees, but not sufficient by itself. Students' expectations that a college degree will be essential to pursue their desired career, peer culture (particularly having a cohort of friends who plan to attend college), and supports that address the issue of college affordability also are key levers for achieving the goal.

Teacher Development Is Key to Closing the Achievement Gap

To help students meet, or even exceed, expectations, we need to increase the effectiveness of teachers say Brian Sims, the managing director of training academies at AUSL in Chicago, and Bridgespan Partner Betsy Haley Doyle, in this Edutopia blog post.

Featured Case Studies

YES Prep: Preparing Low-Income Students for High School, College, and Beyond

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.