The Georgia Early College Initiative strives to create a shared vision that a postsecondary education is essential for full participation in today’s economy. We rely heavily on our numerous partners and sponsors to provide increased educational access and opportunity for the benefit of Georgia students and for the development of their community. This collaborative effort among our partners is multi-faceted involving curricular, policy, community, fiscal, and social support strategies. We are very grateful for the valued cordial collaboration of our Sponsors, who provide funding to establish our Early Colleges. The Early College shared vision is realized through successful collaborative efforts among all stakeholders.

Partners

Office of Educational Access & Success (OEAS)

The Office of Educational Access & Success (OEAS) advances P-20 student success through transformative partnerships, practices, and research. The Office leads seven programs structured around three broad areas: college access and completion; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and educator preparation within University System of Georgia (USG) institutions. It also facilitates faculty involvement in secondary school improvement and the transition from high school to college.

To learn more about OEAS and the University System of Georgia visit http://www.usg.edu/educational_access/ and http://www.usg.edu.

Georgia Department of Education

The Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) oversees public education throughout the state. It ensures that laws and regulations pertaining to education are followed and that state and federal money appropriated for education is properly allocated to local school systems. We also provide education-related information to students, parents, teachers, educational staff, government officials, and the media. We hope this information will help answer people’s questions, empower them with resources, and allow them to navigate the state’s educational infrastructure with a minimum of difficulty. To learn more about the DOE, visit http://www.doe.k12.ga.us.

Jobs for the Future

Jobs for the Future is an action/research and policy organization that promotes innovative reform in education and workforce development. It is the lead coordinator, manager and policy advocate for the Early College High School Initiative. To learn more about the Jobs for the Future, visit http://www.jff.org and http://www.earlycolleges.org

Sponsors

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is dedicated to improving people’s lives by sharing advances in health and learning with the global community. The foundation believes all students can achieve at high levels. New standards, more diverse students, and new technologies provide both opportunities and challenges. Many educators and schools have already made great progress addressing these issues, but the challenge remains to “scale up” the success rate and the effective strategies. The foundation has a three-pronged investment strategy reflecting a commitment to building successful models that will help every student achieve at high levels. Grants support schools and districts, leadership development and scholarships.

To learn more about the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation visit http://www.gatesfoundation.org

The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation

The Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Inc. is an independent private foundation with a broad charter to support charitable, scientific and educational activities. The Foundation is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees under the laws of the state of Georgia. Grants generally are limited to tax-exempt public charities located and operating in Georgia. Principal giving interests are focused on the following program areas:

• Elementary, secondary and higher education
• Health care and education
• Human services, particularly for children and youth
• Economic development and civic affairs
• Art and cultural activities
• Conservation of natural resources and environmental education

Traditionally, preference has been given to one-time capital projects and to other extraordinary needs of well established public charities.

To learn more about the foundation, visit http://www.woodruff.org/

The University System of Georgia

The primary goal of the University System of Georgia is to ensure access to academic excellence and educational opportunities for all Georgians. Its mission is to contribute to the educational, cultural, economic, and social advancement of Georgia by providing excellent undergraduate general education and first-rate programs leading to associate, baccalaureate, masters, professional, and doctorate degrees; by pursuing leading-edge basic and applied research, scholarly inquiry, and creative endeavors; and by bringing these intellectual resources, and those of the public libraries, to bear on the economic development of the State and the continuing education of its citizens.

To learn more about the University System visit http://www.usg.edu