Say Yes to Education
Encyclopedia
Say Yes to Education, Inc. (Say Yes) is a U.S. non-profit organization
that seeks to improve inner-city education. The main focus of Say Yes is to increase high school and college graduation rates by offering a range of support services to at-risk, economically disadvantaged youths and families, and by pledging full scholarships for a college or vocational education to children living in poverty.
Say Yes is organized around local chapters and operates in the northeastern U.S. The organization also partners with other groups to provide services to disadvantaged students and their families.
rs at Belmont Elementary School in Philadelphia that he would cover the expenses of their college tuition if they graduated from high school. According to David Callahan
, Weiss was "directly inspired by Eugene Lang
, a philanthropist who made a similar promise to sixth-graders in Harlem, New York in 1981 and then set up the 'I Have a Dream' Foundation to spread this promise to more students."
In 1990, the Jane and Robert Toll Program of the Philadelphia Chapter was formed. The program, sponsored by Toll Brothers
' Chief Executive Officer Bob Toll and his wife, targeted 57 third graders at the Harrity Elementary School in West Philadelphia
.
or other accredited post-secondary institutions." This gift from Hartford University was linked with what is now known as the Hartford Scholars Program, which provides Hartford Public School
graduates with half-tuition at the university. The goals of the Hartford Chapter were to encourage and motivate at-risk students to graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education or training; to help students learn how to make constructive decisions for their lives; and to help students become responsible, productive adults. The chapter provided a number of support programs to help students reach these goals, including after-school tutoring, individual student support services, educational summer opportunities, and recognition of student achievement; organizing overnight retreats focusing on growth and development issues such as human sexuality, respect and responsibility within relationships, and conflict resolution; monitoring the academic and personal progress of students; arranging college visits; and providing assistance to families and students with the admission process. The Hartford Chapter of Say Yes closed in June 2005.
. The original Say Yes group for the Cambridge Chapter consisted of 69 students who were beginning third grade
at Harrington. The chapter was supported by a partnership between Lesley University
and the Cambridge Public School District, and with funding from eight local sponsors. Lesley University provided various resources such as tutoring, counseling, academic materials, and professional development help to Harrington. The Cambridge Chapter assisted the school in its restructuring efforts by "working closely with the Harrington administration and faculty to develop strategies for team teaching and grade level cluster development, interdisciplinary and thematic teaching, career weeks, portfolio assessment, and before- and after-school programs."
Program was launched in 2004 through a $50 million initiative in five elementary schools: P.S. 57, 83, 161, 180, and 182.
The Syracuse Say Yes to Education and Economic Development program is the first district-wide establishment of the organization. The program is a collaboration between Say Yes, Syracuse University
, and the Syracuse City School District
aimed at bridging the achievement gap between urban and suburban children by focusing on academic, social-emotional, health, and financial obstacles facing low-income students.
The following support systems are offered through the Syracuse Say Yes to Education program: annual and regularly reviewed individual student growth plans; tutoring; identification of strengths and weaknesses through student diagnostic testing; inclusive settings, curriculum, and support for students with disabilities and English language learners; after-school and summer school programs; counseling and family engagement; research-based academic programs such as International Baccalaureate often found in suburban schools; financial aid and college selection counseling; and mentoring.
The Syracuse Higher Education Compact is a partnership between private and public institutions to "collectively provide the opportunity for Say Yes graduates in the city of Syracuse to attend college with tuition, fees, and books paid for." As of November 2010, 23 private schools were promising Syracuse City School District students free college tuition, including Adelphi University
, Bryant & Stratton College, Clarkson University
, Columbia University
, Cooper Union
, Goodwin College
, Hartwick College
, Hobart and William Smith Colleges
, Houghton College
, Le Moyne College
, Manhattanville College
, Marist College
, Medaille College
, Molloy College
, New York Institute of Technology
, New York University
, Polytechnic University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
, Rochester Institute of Technology
, Sarah Lawrence
, Syracuse University
, Tufts University
, University of Pennsylvania
, and University of Rochester
. In addition, "SUNY and CUNY campuses are taking part with help from $1.5 million in community foundation funds." Schools participating in the Higher Education Compact require students to explore all other financial aid options before a scholarship is provided, and some of the schools place a $75,000 income cap on the scholarships.
To target academic obstacles, Say Yes uses a diagnostic assessment to provide early intervention
by determining the support needed for students based on each individual's strengths and weaknesses. Other services provided include after-school programs, "Power Hour" tutoring for students with the most risk of not advancing to the next grade level, encouraged parental participation, summer programs, career exploration, professional development for teachers, and Say Yes involvement in all students' Individual Education Plans
.
To target health obstacles, Say Yes has "structured partnerships with hospitals and other health care providers to offer physical and mental health services as well as dental care."
For financial obstacles, Say Yes offers the students in its program scholarships to vocational institutes and two and four-year colleges. Financial assistance is also provided at these same post-secondary institutes to parents and siblings of Say Yes students.
Say Yes targets social/emotional obstacles with services such as counseling, intervention, and conflict resolution. Say Yes Program Managers, who are often licensed social work
ers, conduct family outreach through home visits and meetings. Program Managers "also provide information and support for Say Yes families and youth to help them select appropriate courses and navigate the college admissions process."
, with 21 completing bachelor's degree
s, 9 receiving associate's degree
s, and 14 earning trade certificates
. 34 of the original 112 students dropped out of school, and 8 students died, all but one in a violent manner.
Of the 76 students in the Hartford Chapter, 79% received a high school diploma or GED. Those students went on to complete 11 trade certificates, 7 associate's degrees, 20 bachelor's degrees, and 4 master's degree
s. From the Cambridge Chapter, 87% of the original 69 students completed high school, with 72% of those graduates completing a post-secondary education.
Some of the criticism directed at Say Yes has been that while the program "might have been a noble experiment that changed lives, its results have not approached its cost." Others have argued that young, at-risk students promised a free post-secondary education "could not begin to comprehend how they were supposed to use the 'abstract' gift to graduate from college."
, an international law firm, has signed on for a fifteen year commitment to provide pro bono
legal services to the Harlem Chapter of Say Yes. Bingham attorneys extend their services to the family members of Say Yes students for the duration of the children's time in school.
Say Yes also has partnerships with the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching; the Dean Hope Center for Psychological and Educational Services; the Reading Specialist Program; and the Science Education Program from Teachers College, Columbia University
.
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
that seeks to improve inner-city education. The main focus of Say Yes is to increase high school and college graduation rates by offering a range of support services to at-risk, economically disadvantaged youths and families, and by pledging full scholarships for a college or vocational education to children living in poverty.
Say Yes is organized around local chapters and operates in the northeastern U.S. The organization also partners with other groups to provide services to disadvantaged students and their families.
History
Businessman and philanthropist George A. Weiss founded Say Yes to Education, Inc. in 1987, initially making a promise to 112 sixth gradeSixth grade
Sixth grade is a year of education in the United States and some other nations. The sixth grade is the sixth school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 11 – 12 years old...
rs at Belmont Elementary School in Philadelphia that he would cover the expenses of their college tuition if they graduated from high school. According to David Callahan
David Callahan
David Callahan is a co-founder of the think tank Demos, a public policy group based in New York City, where he is currently a Senior Fellow. He is also an author, commentator, and lecturer. He is perhaps best known as the author of the books The Cheating Culture and The Moral Center. Callahan is a...
, Weiss was "directly inspired by Eugene Lang
Eugene Lang
Eugene M. "Gene" Lang is an American philanthropist who founded REFAC Technology Development Corporation in 1951. He created the I Have A Dream Foundation in 1981, and Project Pericles in 2001. He has also made large donations to Swarthmore College, The New School's undergraduate liberal arts...
, a philanthropist who made a similar promise to sixth-graders in Harlem, New York in 1981 and then set up the 'I Have a Dream' Foundation to spread this promise to more students."
Philadelphia, PA
Say Yes began in 1987 with the creation of the Belmont Program of the Philadelphia Chapter. The first students chosen to participate in the program were a group of 112 seventh grade students. Students in the Belmont Program received mentoring and tutoring services, and were provided with after-school and summer programs. Say Yes also focused on family outreach, offering social work and psychological services and administering free medical and dental care.In 1990, the Jane and Robert Toll Program of the Philadelphia Chapter was formed. The program, sponsored by Toll Brothers
Toll Brothers
Toll Brothers is a Horsham, Pennsylvania based luxury homes builder.-Company Overview:Toll Brothers is a residential and commercial real estate development company with communities in 50 markets throughout 19 states...
' Chief Executive Officer Bob Toll and his wife, targeted 57 third graders at the Harrity Elementary School in West Philadelphia
West Philadelphia
West Philadelphia, nicknamed West Philly, is a section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Though there is no official definition of its boundaries, it is generally considered to reach from the western shore of the Schuylkill River, to City Line Avenue to the northwest, Cobbs Creek to the southwest, and...
.
Hartford, CT
In October 1990, the Hartford Chapter of Say Yes began when 76 fifth grade students at Annie Fisher Elementary School received a "promise of assistance with tuition costs at either the University of HartfordUniversity of Hartford
The University of Hartford is a private, independent, nonsectarian, coeducational university located in West Hartford, Connecticut. The degree programs at the University of Hartford hold the highest levels of accreditation available in the US, including the Engineering Accreditation Commission of...
or other accredited post-secondary institutions." This gift from Hartford University was linked with what is now known as the Hartford Scholars Program, which provides Hartford Public School
Hartford Public Schools
Hartford Public Schools is the school district of Hartford, Connecticut.-Schools:* Arts & Sciences High School * Bulkeley High School* Culinary Arts Academy...
graduates with half-tuition at the university. The goals of the Hartford Chapter were to encourage and motivate at-risk students to graduate from high school and pursue post-secondary education or training; to help students learn how to make constructive decisions for their lives; and to help students become responsible, productive adults. The chapter provided a number of support programs to help students reach these goals, including after-school tutoring, individual student support services, educational summer opportunities, and recognition of student achievement; organizing overnight retreats focusing on growth and development issues such as human sexuality, respect and responsibility within relationships, and conflict resolution; monitoring the academic and personal progress of students; arranging college visits; and providing assistance to families and students with the admission process. The Hartford Chapter of Say Yes closed in June 2005.
Cambridge, MA
The third Say Yes chapter was formed in June 1991 at the Harrington Elementary School in Cambridge, MassachusettsCambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
. The original Say Yes group for the Cambridge Chapter consisted of 69 students who were beginning third grade
Third grade
In the United States, third grade is a year of primary education. It is the third school year after kindergarten. Students are usually 8 – 9 years old, depending on when their birthday occurs....
at Harrington. The chapter was supported by a partnership between Lesley University
Lesley University
Lesley University is a private, coeducational university in Boston, Massachusetts and Cambridge, Massachusetts.The university is a member of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, National Association of Schools of Art and Design, and New England Collegiate Conference.-History:The...
and the Cambridge Public School District, and with funding from eight local sponsors. Lesley University provided various resources such as tutoring, counseling, academic materials, and professional development help to Harrington. The Cambridge Chapter assisted the school in its restructuring efforts by "working closely with the Harrington administration and faculty to develop strategies for team teaching and grade level cluster development, interdisciplinary and thematic teaching, career weeks, portfolio assessment, and before- and after-school programs."
New York, NY
The New York City HarlemHarlem
Harlem is a neighborhood in the New York City borough of Manhattan, which since the 1920s has been a major African-American residential, cultural and business center. Originally a Dutch village, formally organized in 1658, it is named after the city of Haarlem in the Netherlands...
Program was launched in 2004 through a $50 million initiative in five elementary schools: P.S. 57, 83, 161, 180, and 182.
Syracuse, NY
Main Article: Say Yes To Education SyracuseSay Yes To Education Syracuse
Say Yes to Education's Syracuse chapter was founded in 2007 and has a different approach from the other chapters. Say Yes Syracuse attempts to tackle the entire school district's problems with a vast amount of funding and allies, as Syracuse's school district is one of the worst in the...
The Syracuse Say Yes to Education and Economic Development program is the first district-wide establishment of the organization. The program is a collaboration between Say Yes, Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, and the Syracuse City School District
Syracuse City School District
The Syracuse City School District is a public school district based in Syracuse, New York .-High schools:*Corcoran High School*Fowler High School*Henninger High School*Institute of Central Technology *Nottingham High School...
aimed at bridging the achievement gap between urban and suburban children by focusing on academic, social-emotional, health, and financial obstacles facing low-income students.
The following support systems are offered through the Syracuse Say Yes to Education program: annual and regularly reviewed individual student growth plans; tutoring; identification of strengths and weaknesses through student diagnostic testing; inclusive settings, curriculum, and support for students with disabilities and English language learners; after-school and summer school programs; counseling and family engagement; research-based academic programs such as International Baccalaureate often found in suburban schools; financial aid and college selection counseling; and mentoring.
The Syracuse Higher Education Compact is a partnership between private and public institutions to "collectively provide the opportunity for Say Yes graduates in the city of Syracuse to attend college with tuition, fees, and books paid for." As of November 2010, 23 private schools were promising Syracuse City School District students free college tuition, including Adelphi University
Adelphi University
Adelphi University is a private, nonsectarian university located in Garden City, in Nassau County, New York, United States. It is the oldest institution of higher education on Long Island. For the sixth year, Adelphi University has been named a “Best Buy” in higher education by the Fiske Guide to...
, Bryant & Stratton College, Clarkson University
Clarkson University
-The Clarkson School:The Clarkson School, a special division of Clarkson University, was founded in 1978 as a unique educational opportunity. The School offers students an early entrance opportunity into college, replacing the typical senior year of high school with a year of college...
, Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
, Cooper Union
Cooper Union
The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, commonly referred to simply as Cooper Union, is a privately funded college in the East Village neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, United States, located at Cooper Square and Astor Place...
, Goodwin College
Goodwin College
Goodwin College is a private, nonprofit, four year institution located on One Riverside Drive, East Hartford, Connecticut. The college offers a variety of certificate and associate degree programs along with bachelor degree programs in child study, health science, organizational studies, and...
, Hartwick College
Hartwick College
Hartwick College is a non-denominational, private, four-year liberal arts and sciences college located in Oneonta, New York, in the United States. The institution was founded as Hartwick Seminary in 1797 through the will of John Christopher Hartwick, and is now known as Hartwick College...
, Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Hobart and William Smith Colleges
Hobart and William Smith Colleges, located in Geneva, New York, are together a liberal arts college offering Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts in Teaching degrees. In athletics, however, the two schools compete with separate teams, known as the Hobart Statesmen and the...
, Houghton College
Houghton College
Houghton College is a Christian liberal arts college affiliated with the Wesleyan Church. The college is a member of both the Christian College Consortium and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities...
, Le Moyne College
Le Moyne College
Le Moyne College, named after Simon Le Moyne, is a private, Jesuit college enrolling over 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1946, Le Moyne is the first Jesuit college to be founded as a co-educational institution...
, Manhattanville College
Manhattanville College
Manhattanville College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college offering undergraduate and graduate degrees, located in Purchase, New York. Founded in 1841 it was known initially as Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart...
, Marist College
Marist College
Marist College is a private liberal arts college on the east bank of the Hudson River near Poughkeepsie, New York. The site was established in 1905 by Marist Brothers, and the college was chartered in 1929...
, Medaille College
Medaille College
Medaille College a private liberal arts college located in the historic Olmsted Crescent of Buffalo, New York, that draws extensively from the Western New York and Southern Ontario regions. It is a private, nonsectarian, co-educational institution.-History:...
, Molloy College
Molloy College
Molloy College is located in Rockville Centre, New York, a Nassau County community on Long Island, in the United States. with a brand new, state-of-the art residential facility. It also has a new 550 seat performing arts facility-- The Madison Theatre...
, New York Institute of Technology
New York Institute of Technology
New York Institute of Technology is a private, non-sectarian, co-educational research university in New York City. NYIT has five schools and two colleges, all with a strong emphasis on technology and applied scientific research...
, New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, Polytechnic University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Stephen Van Rensselaer established the Rensselaer School on November 5, 1824 with a letter to the Rev. Dr. Samuel Blatchford, in which van Rensselaer asked Blatchford to serve as the first president. Within the letter he set down several orders of business. He appointed Amos Eaton as the school's...
, Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester Institute of Technology
The Rochester Institute of Technology is a private university, located within the town of Henrietta in metropolitan Rochester, New York, United States...
, Sarah Lawrence
Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence College is a private liberal arts college in the United States, and a leader in progressive education since its founding in 1926. Located just 30 minutes north of Midtown Manhattan in southern Westchester County, New York, in the city of Yonkers, this coeducational college offers...
, Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, and University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
. In addition, "SUNY and CUNY campuses are taking part with help from $1.5 million in community foundation funds." Schools participating in the Higher Education Compact require students to explore all other financial aid options before a scholarship is provided, and some of the schools place a $75,000 income cap on the scholarships.
Approach
Say Yes uses its services to target what the organization views as four major problem areas affecting low-income students from having access to post-secondary education: social/emotional obstacles, health obstacles, academic obstacles, and financial obstacles.To target academic obstacles, Say Yes uses a diagnostic assessment to provide early intervention
Early Childhood Intervention
Early childhood intervention is a support system for children with developmental disabilities or delays and their families.The mission of Early Childhood Intervention is to assure that families who have children ages birth to three, with diagnosed disabilities, developmental delays or substantial...
by determining the support needed for students based on each individual's strengths and weaknesses. Other services provided include after-school programs, "Power Hour" tutoring for students with the most risk of not advancing to the next grade level, encouraged parental participation, summer programs, career exploration, professional development for teachers, and Say Yes involvement in all students' Individual Education Plans
Individualized Education Program
In the United States an Individualized Education Program, commonly referred to as an IEP, is mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act...
.
To target health obstacles, Say Yes has "structured partnerships with hospitals and other health care providers to offer physical and mental health services as well as dental care."
For financial obstacles, Say Yes offers the students in its program scholarships to vocational institutes and two and four-year colleges. Financial assistance is also provided at these same post-secondary institutes to parents and siblings of Say Yes students.
Say Yes targets social/emotional obstacles with services such as counseling, intervention, and conflict resolution. Say Yes Program Managers, who are often licensed social work
Social work
Social Work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of an individual, group, or community by intervening through research, policy, community organizing, direct practice, and teaching on behalf of those afflicted with poverty or any real or...
ers, conduct family outreach through home visits and meetings. Program Managers "also provide information and support for Say Yes families and youth to help them select appropriate courses and navigate the college admissions process."
Impact
Out of the 112 Belmont Program students offered a free college education in 1987, 65 graduated high school, and 5 more received a GED. This accounts for more than 62% of the Say Yes cohort, while 26% of the students in classes preceding the group and 28% of students following the group completed high school. 44 of these 70 students pursued a post-secondary educationHigher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
, with 21 completing bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
s, 9 receiving associate's degree
Associate's degree
An associate degree is an undergraduate academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and bachelor's degree-granting colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years...
s, and 14 earning trade certificates
Professional certification
Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task...
. 34 of the original 112 students dropped out of school, and 8 students died, all but one in a violent manner.
Of the 76 students in the Hartford Chapter, 79% received a high school diploma or GED. Those students went on to complete 11 trade certificates, 7 associate's degrees, 20 bachelor's degrees, and 4 master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
s. From the Cambridge Chapter, 87% of the original 69 students completed high school, with 72% of those graduates completing a post-secondary education.
Some of the criticism directed at Say Yes has been that while the program "might have been a noble experiment that changed lives, its results have not approached its cost." Others have argued that young, at-risk students promised a free post-secondary education "could not begin to comprehend how they were supposed to use the 'abstract' gift to graduate from college."
Partnerships
Bingham McCutchenBingham McCutchen
Bingham McCutchen LLP is a global law firm with approximately 1,100 attorneys in nine US offices and four international offices. It represents clients in corporate litigation, cross-border restructurings and insolvencies, financing and securities, structured finance and capital markets, government...
, an international law firm, has signed on for a fifteen year commitment to provide pro bono
Pro bono
Pro bono publico is a Latin phrase generally used to describe professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment or at a reduced fee as a public service. It is common in the legal profession and is increasingly seen in marketing, technology, and strategy consulting firms...
legal services to the Harlem Chapter of Say Yes. Bingham attorneys extend their services to the family members of Say Yes students for the duration of the children's time in school.
Say Yes also has partnerships with the National Center for Restructuring Education, Schools, and Teaching; the Dean Hope Center for Psychological and Educational Services; the Reading Specialist Program; and the Science Education Program from Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College, Columbia University
Teachers College, Columbia University is a graduate school of education located in New York City, New York...
.