Despite the deep-seated and complex causes of disparities in education, progress is being made toward closing the achievement gap. Positive change is happening to ensure that access to high-quality education becomes a reality for all children. We come closer to that ideal as success stories like these are unfolding every day across the nation.
Success Stories
Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation
Since 1945, the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation has supported outstanding individuals and institutions to help reshape American education. The Woodrow Wilson Fellows include 13 Nobel Laureates, 35 MacArthur Fellows, 11 Pulitzer Prize winners, two Fields Medalists and thousands of everyday heroes, in and beyond the classroom.
CDF Freedom Schools®
The CDF Freedom Schools® program provides summer and after-school enrichment that helps children fall in love with reading, increases their self-esteem, and generates more positive attitudes toward learning.
A curriculum built around five components is the core of the program:
- High-quality academic enrichment
- Parent and family involvement
- Social action and civic engagement
- Intergenerational servant leadership development
- Nutrition and mental health
Strengthening Instruction in Tennessee Elementary Schools: Focus on Mathematics
The Strengthening Instruction in Tennessee Elementary Schools: Focus on Mathematics (SITES-M) project, conceived by Tennessee State University and ETS, focuses on strengthening K–4 math instruction and addressing gaps. Research-based professional development is provided to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) faculty, K–4 teachers and pre-service teachers.
The Young People's Project
The Young People's Project (YPP) helps students ages eight to 22 from traditionally marginalized populations develop math and media literacy and engage in community-building and advocacy. The goal of YPP is to equip young people with the leadership skills and motivation they need to reform education on both a local and national level.