Identify research that can inform your grantmaking using summaries prepared by the Foundation Center.
Center for Women and Work
McKay, Heather A.; Elizabeth Nisbet
March 2012
Examines current policies, programs, and initiatives designed to facilitate degree completion by offering the option through employment and workforce development services. Recommends increased system alignment, funding, student supports, and flexibility.
Funder(s): Annie E. Casey Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Ford Foundation, Joyce Foundation
Lumina Foundation
March 2012
Assesses progress toward the goal of realizing 60 percent postsecondary degree attainment by 2025. Includes attainment rates by race/ethnicity, rankings by metropolitan area, and state profiles with rates by county, benchmark targets, and projections.
Funder(s): Lumina Foundation for Education
Center for the Study of Race and Equity in Education at University of Pennsylvania
Harper, Shaun R.
February 2012
Presents insights from successful male African-American college students about how they overcame obstacles that typically disadvantage their peers, including their pre-college experiences and the roles of family members, peers, and significant others.
Funder(s): American College Personnel Association, Lumina Foundation for Education, National Academic Advising Association, National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, Penn State Children, Youth and Families Consortium, Penn State University Africana Research Center, Penn State University College of Education
Grantmakers for Education
December 2011
Based on a survey of GFE members, examines funder characteristics; priorities such as closing the achievement gap; budgets; grantmaking strategies; important emerging trends; and response to public-sector funding cuts.
Funder(s): Target Corporation
Institute for Higher Education Policy
November 2011
Offers a framework for reengaging students who leave higher education when they are close to obtaining degrees, highlights early findings from regional and national efforts to help near-completion students graduate, and presents promising strategies.
Funder(s): Carnegie Corporation of New York
MDRC
Scrivener, Susan; Erin Coghlan
March 2011
Summarizes findings from Opening Doors Demonstration programs to raise college completion rates through financial incentives, instructional reforms, including learning communities, and enhancements in targeted student services such as academic counseling.
Funder(s): Carnegie Corporation of New York
Lumina Foundation
March 2012
Assesses progress toward the goal of realizing 60 percent postsecondary degree attainment by 2025. Includes attainment rates by race/ethnicity, rankings by metropolitan area, and state profiles with rates by county, benchmark targets, and projections.
Funder(s): Lumina Foundation for Education
Boston Foundation
Stoutland, Sara E.
June 2011
Analyzes public high school graduates' college experiences by level of academic success, including the role of self-management skills, academic advising, and contextual issues related to family, employment, and financial pressures. Makes recommendations.
Funder(s): Boston Foundation
Institute of Higher Education Policy
June 2011
Analyzes low-income students' initial enrollment in public and private four-year colleges, community colleges, and for-profit schools by gender and race/ethnicity; rates of completion and long-term financial distress by institution type; and implications.
Funder(s): Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Council of Chief State School Officers
June 2011
Offers a framework for designing and implementing state accountability systems that enable consistent, aligned goals to ensure college- and career-readiness; valid measurement, support, and interventions; transparent reporting; and continuous improvement.
Funder(s): Nellie Mae Education Foundation
Excelencia in Education
March 2011
Outlines policy recommendations at the community, college, state, and federal levels for raising Latino degree attainment rates to help close equity gaps and meet the nation's attainment goals. Includes examples of current efforts and best practices.
Funder(s): Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Lumina Foundation for Education
Center for Advanced Research and Technology
January 2011
Outlines the Linked Learning model of combining rigorous high school academics with technical learning and real-world experience at the Center for Advanced Research Technology. Presents data on its impact on community college and university enrollment.
Funder(s): Cal-PASS, Clovis Unified School District, Fresno Unified School District, James Irvine Foundation
Working Poor Families Project
Hilliard, Thomas J.
November 2010
Outlines the College Access Challenge Grant Program to fund state strategies for improving college access and boosting low-income students' attainment. Examines how states have used the grants so far and suggests including adult learning initiatives.
Funder(s): Annie E. Casey Foundation, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Ford Foundation, Joyce Foundation
OMG Center for Collaborative Learning
Dougherty, Victoria; Michele Lempa
November 2010
Explains how to design and implement an assessment of local systems' ability to improve college attainment, including needs, assets, and challenges; and how to leverage findings for stakeholder engagement, benchmarking, and strategy development.
Funder(s): John S. and James L. Knight Foundation
Grantmakers for Education
July 2010
Highlights discussions from a May 2010 convening on proven strategies to increase the number of Americans earning a postsecondary degree. Examines barriers and intervention levers at the student, institutional, and policy levels and the role of funders.
Funder(s): Bank of America Charitable Foundation, Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, TG, USA Funds for Education Endowment, Inc.
Public Policy Institute of California
Johnson, Hans P.
April 2010
Calls for policies to raise college completion rates and the portions of high school graduates eligible for state schools and of transfer students receiving bachelor's degrees. Explores issues of equity, funding, college-readiness, and remedial programs.
Funder(s): William and Flora Hewlett Foundation
Public Agenda
March 2010
Presents survey findings on the limitations of the public high school guidance system and how perfunctory counseling affects college choice, financial aid, and other outcomes. Calls for in-depth and practical advice, especially for disadvantaged students.
Funder(s): Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Alliance for Excellent Education
February 2010
Outlines challenges for rural high schools such as funding inequities and advantages such as parental support. Recommends best practices and policies for improving standards, accountability, student options, teachers, community support, and resources.
Funder(s): Wal-mart Foundation
Jobs for the Future
Vargas, Joel; Jason Quiara
February 2010
Describes how state leaders spurred innovation to raise high school graduation and college-readiness rates through cooperative programs between school boards and community colleges, nonprofit support, and start-up grants. Discusses remaining barriers.
Funder(s): Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
James Irvine Foundation
September 2009
Summarizes an evaluation of student outcomes at schools using the multiple pathways approach of combining academic learning with technical skills to prepare students for college and careers. Looks at graduation rates, test scores, and student engagement.
Funder(s): James Irvine Foundation
James Irvine Foundation
Howard, Don; Patrick Wu
June 2009
Assesses the state of the multiple pathways model of combining academics with career education and the field's shared identity, standards of practice, knowledge base, leadership and grassroots support, policy support, and funding. Makes recommendations.
Funder(s): James Irvine Foundation
Achieve, Inc.
February 2009
Presents findings from a 2008-09 state-by-state survey of progress in aligning standards, graduation requirements, assessments, data systems, and accountability systems with colleges' and employers' expectations. Charts trends and lists resources.
Funder(s): Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
May 2007
Summarizes lessons learned from the ENLACE initiative, which the Kellogg Foundation established in 1997 to boost academic achievement, college admissions, and graduation rates among the nation's fast-growing Latino population.
Funder(s): W.K. Kellogg Foundation
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