Disrupting the Cycle of Intergenerational Poverty Through
Education
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ABOUT COLLEGE SUCCESS FOUNDATION College Success Foundation
(CSF) inspires underserved, low-income students to finish high
school and graduate from college by providing an integrated system
of support services and scholarships that prepares students to
succeed in school and life. If Im not helping somebody, Im not
fulfilling my time here on Earth. CSF scholar Rashai Lee
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COLLEGE SUCCESS FOUNDATION HISTORY AND OVERVIEW CSF evolved
from former Governor Gary Lockes 2020 Commission on the Future of
Post-Secondary Education. Recommended establishing an independent,
NPO to build and sustain public understanding of the need for
higher levels of educational attainment and lifelong learning.
Established in 2000 by Bob Craves and Ann Ramsay-Jenkins. The Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation was instrumental in CSFs funding.
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COLLEGE SUCCESS FOUNDATION HISTORY AND OVERVIEW CSF employs an
integrated system of direct student support services grounded in
theory and best practice. Serve as a leader in statewide
capacity-building for college access and completion in Washington
State and Washington, D.C. In Washington State, CSF provides
college awareness, readiness and access support to students in
middle schools and high schools in five school districts.
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v WHY IS THIS WORK IMPORTANT? THE POVERTY FACTOR Just 10
percent of low-income students earn a bachelors degree, compared to
80 percent of higher income students. Nearly one-quarter of
American children live in poverty. Nearly 38 and 34 percent of
Black and Hispanic children, respectively, live in poverty,
compared to 12 percent of white children. LOW-INCOME STUDENTS
EARNING BACHELORS DEGREES 10% HIGH-INCOME STUDENTS EARNING
BACHELORS DEGREES 80%
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WHY IS THIS WORK IMPORTANT? THE POVERTY FACTOR Food insecurity,
limited access to healthcare and homelessness are just a few of the
challenges that children living in poverty face every day. Poverty
contributes to poor academic achievement, dropout rates, juvenile
delinquency and social/emotional challenges. Without academic
opportunities, children living in poverty are likely to stay in
poverty.
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WHY IS THIS WORK IMPORTANT? THE POVERTY FACTOR By participating
in CSF programs, students in poverty have more opportunities to
succeed. CSF Scholars graduate from high school and college at
higher rates than their peers. The siblings of CSF Scholars have a
greater likelihood of attending and graduating from college. CSF
Scholars often give back to their home communities after graduating
by helping younger students navigate the college- planning process.
Armed with a college degree, CSF Scholars take the first step in
pulling themselves and their families out of poverty for good.
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WHAT MAKES CSF DIFFERENT? DISRUPTING THE CYCLE OF
INTERGENERATIONAL POVERTY CSF serves students who likely would not
go to college without our help. Eighty percent of CSF scholars are
the first in their family to pursue higher education. CSF also
focuses on youth in foster care, students of color and those from
families with low incomes.
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REGIONAL-LEVEL STRATEGY IN ACTION
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CSFs NEW STRATEGIC DIRECTION Regional model: Site directors
oversee local programs. Replicable models in place in Tacoma,
Spokane and Washington, DC. Next up: Seattle, with future sites
based on defined criteria.
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CSFs EVOLUTION S.T.A.R.S. Scholarship administration. Training
and technical assistance. Advocacy. Research. Student support
services.
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CSFs NATIONAL AND REGIONAL ROLE Monitor, engage and influence
key issues. Serve as trusted advisor on Capitol Hill and in the
Administration. Work to expand strategic collaborations and
partnerships.
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CSFs NATIONAL AND REGIONAL ROLE Model and expand the success of
pairing wrap-around services with scholarships. Build capacity of
direct-service providers and other nonprofits to leverage greater
reach and impact. Collaborate with stakeholders to advance a
cradle-to- career approach to education for Washington youth.
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Next Steps for College Bound Ensuring Success Practices College
Bound support Replicate Road Map regions CBS support event.
Maintain high College Bound sign-ups, increased emphasis on high
school including FAFSA completion. CSF will continue to offer
trainings and technical support. Designate College Bound support
staff at community/technical colleges in student services and
financial aid offices.
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Next Steps for College Bound Ensuring Success Policies Support
Washington Student Achievement Councils work to strengthen State
Need Grant efforts. Address and modify policies and practices that
are barriers to transitioning to college. o Standardize financial
aid award letters. o Revise and implement college placement
practice. Easing students transition through improved district and
college collaboration.
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Yolanda Watson Spiva, Ph.D. President and CEO 425.416.2000
[email protected]
