WHY OUR MODEL WORKS ...

Two Missions, One Model. Breakthrough Saint Paul achieves two important educational missions using only one innovative model ... Students Teaching Students.

... FOR MOTIVATED STUDENTS
Breakthrough’s model helps under-represented students of color and low-income get to and succeed in college. Given the variety of college access models around the country working toward this goal, much professional research has been conducted to explore which are most effective. Two studies are especially worth highlighting here: “Preparing for College: Building Expectations, Changing Realities” by Center for Higher Education Policy Analysis in 2003 (source link) and “Reclaiming the American Dream” by The Bridgespan Group in conjunction with The Gates Foundation in 2006 (source link).

These two reports analyze the results of college access programs and recommend best practices for intervention. Below is a combined list of their best practices, each of which is incorporated by Breakthrough.

• Rigorous Academic Curriculum
• College Counseling
• Meaningful Co-Curricular Activities
• Family Engagement
• Positive Peer Groups
• Mentoring
• Timing

... AND FOR ASPIRING TEACHERS.
Breakthrough’s teaching internship has been rated in the top 10 of college internships nationally by The Princeton Review. Breakthrough’s model also attracts diverse, young people to teaching by setting them up for success in their first classroom experience. Here’s how.

• Teachers receive intense, individualized support from professional mentor teachers.
• Teachers learn how to teach in classes with no more than 10 students.
• Teachers learn how to teach with students who really want to be there.
• Teachers have a talented group of peers to support them.
• Teachers create courses based on their passions and knowledge.
• Teachers learn how to teach by actually teaching. They immediately test and apply educational theory, a strong pedagogical technique.
• Teachers experience education as it can and should be, which encourages them to recreate this environment wherever they teach in the future.

It's clear. For students and teachers, both missions can be met with same program ... Breakthrough Saint Paul.