We are a network of policy and research partners, institution and systems leaders, and foundations taking collective action to ensure students get the support they need to succeed in their first year of college.
Reforming developmental education so every college student succeeds in their first year.
Strong Start to Finish scales reforms in developmental education across higher education systems, so every student is set up to pass credit-earning courses in English and math in their first year of college. In particular, we support college success for Black, Brown, Asian American and Indigenous students, students with low incomes and returning adults, who have been underserved by the education system.
Our Network
Knowledge
Center
We share reports, research and toolkits from our network so systems and institutions can learn about and enact efforts to reform developmental education.
Our Approach
We work to correct systemic inequities that are barriers to student success by convening our network, sharing research and tools and helping higher education systems scale proven approaches.
Featured Resources
Strong Start to Finish Scaling Site Evaluation – Executive Summary
The Strong Start to Finish Qualitative Evaluation captures valuable lessons and insights, and outlines how states and systems can design their efforts to achieve equitable outcomes for students who are racially minoritized, those with low incomes and adults who are returning to college.
Implementation Pathways for Developmental Education Reform
This report examines implementation trends across 13 Strong Start to Finish sites; summarizes key learnings from our work; and provides considerations for state, system and institutional leaders seeking to engage in similar efforts.
Improving College Success for Students in Corequisite Reading
Community College Research Center’s recent report explores the impact of corequisite reading on course outcomes and student success rates in the Tennessee Board of Regents system.
Finding Relevance in College Math
In this report, Motivate Lab tested the effectiveness of embedding a series of reading, writing and reflection exercises — utility-value interventions — in course curriculum to increase student motivation, boost grades and pass rates for first-generation students, and reduce withdrawal rates for all students.
Stories & Insights
The Return of the SStF Learning Network Convening
In May, Strong Start to Finish hosted our annual Learning Network Convening in Denver, Colo. For many, this event, Celebrating Our Work and the Promise of Dev Ed Reform, was their first time attending an in-person convening since the pandemic began. Designed as an invitation-only event to create an intimate experience, we curated sessions featuring the work of our SStF network from 2018–2021.
Read moreMeet our Funders
Our work to advance developmental education reforms is made possible with the support and guidance of our philanthropic partners.
