Home › Say Yes to Education, Inc. (Say Yes)

Say Yes to Education, Inc. (Say Yes)

Program that Works

Tags:

Summary

Say Yes is a global approach that provides academic, social, emotional, mental and physical health, and financial support to P-16 students in order to increase graduation rates. Through participation in Say Yes’ Higher Education Compact initiative, students can earn free college tuition upon completion from high school.

Target Population

Urban youth in areas with historically low rates of high school and college graduation

Goal(s)

To increase high school and college completion among inner-city youth in the United States

Program Highlights

Chapters currently operate in Harlem, Hartford, Philadelphia, and Syracuse
Provides families with Pro Bono legal services
Organizes tutoring, mentoring, overnight retreats, and summer programs for students, among other opportunities

The Facts

Year introduced:1989

Number of schools:Multiple schools in four cities

Costs:Not specified

Region:East

Partners

Higher Education

Syracuse University
SUNY/CUNY
The Cooper Union
Lesley University
Columbia University

Business

Bingham McCutchen

Non-Profit / Philanthropy

The Jane & Robert Toll Program

Government

Evidence of Impact

Level 2 – Participating students had higher math achievement, and high school graduation rates than a matched control group, and lower rates of absenteeism and behavioral problems.

Study 1:

Say Yes to Education: Our promise enables children and their families to fulfill their potential: Provides a program description, history, and success stories, as well as an in-depth explanation of their guiding models. Also reports graduation rate percentages.

Study 2:

Children and families first: An evaluation of the Philadelphia Say Yes to Education program: Provides a formal evaluation of families’ perspectives and student outcomes using interviews and program observations. Using a theoretical model, the evaluation identifies successful strategies and traces the program’s impact.

Extent of evidence:Interviews, focus groups, and observations with staff, parents, students, and school personnel, as well as qualitative data analysis of student outcome data.

Evidence of replicability:The original program has been replicated and adapted in four cities on the East coast.