For more than 25 years, the Fund has remained one of the constants in Baltimore’s numerous education reform efforts. We support our partners with a unique understanding of lessons learned, as well as deep experience in building successful coalitions. In addition, our ongoing research and development efforts support assessing, developing and implementing promising strategies for improving educational excellence in Baltimore City. Some examples of this support include:

• Rapid Response Research. The Fund is often asked to lend our technical expertise to help workgroups and committees: define their missions and structures; gather and synthesize relevant information and research; and achieve timely and impactful outcomes. We also provide our partners with human capital and outreach support for events or programs that are critical to the City Schools’ mission, such as its annual High School Fair and College Fair. Finally, we regularly share our knowledge of best practices, and our relationships with national experts, to ensure the success of local education initiatives. We often help identify and support the consultants who are assisting the City Schools with key processes, such as Fair Student Funding or new secondary school operators.

• Reform Strategy Research. One of the key roles the Fund plays is providing information that helps inform our partners’ decisions about education policy and direction. As such, we constantly engage in research to identify best practices from across the country and how to successfully adapt them to meet the unique needs of Baltimore’s students. We produce white papers on topics that are of interest to our partners, such as recent work on single gender education. We also serve on committees where our knowledge can be put to best use, such as addressing drop-out prevention, creating safe and supportive environments, and developing community schools.