Achieving the Dream

As they enter college, many students derail, discouraged by remedial coursework, overwhelmed by the rigor of college courses or unsure of how to ask for help from instructors and peers. Recognizing that Washington has a strong community college system that is worth investing in, College Spark provided more than $10 million over ten years to enable Washington colleges to participate in Achieving the Dream. Achieving the Dream is a comprehensive, non-governmental, reform movement focused on helping more community colleges students succeed, particularly low-income students and students of color. Thirteen Washington colleges are currently members of Achieving the Dream. Seven of these have achieved Leader College Status by achieving a three year trend of improved student success and demonstrating a commitment to and progress on the core principles of the initiative.

To learn about the work of colleges participating in Achieving the Dream, read the following reports and issue briefs:

• Summary Evaluation Report
• Issue Brief on Institutional Change (or two-page summary)
• Issue Brief on Advising
• Issue Brief on Large Scale Professional Development
• Issue Brief on Math Reform (three-page summary)

For more information about Achieving the Dream go to www.achievingthedream.org, or contact Heather Gingerich.