Evaluation of the Learning Perspectives Initiative

Client: The Foellinger Foundation
Term: January 2000–December 2003

The goal of the Learning Perspectives Initiative, based on Dr. Ruby Payne's theoretical framework for understanding poverty, is to raise student achievement in the East Allen County (Indiana) Schools. Several schools in various southwestern states have implemented this strategy. However, this initiative in this school system marks the first effort to do so district wide. The Foellinger Foundation not only financially supports the twenty individually developed site plans on raising student achievement, but is also funding a four-year external evaluation. The Center assessed how schools elect to implement Dr. Payne's model and the extent and effectiveness of the implementation.