How were the Dreamers selected?

SF - IHAD selected the dreamers based on two different approaches. First, the Board analyzed publicly available data on San Francisco Unified's high schools such as:

• Graduation rates
• Percent of students who attend college
• Scores on standardized tests such as the SAT and STAR exams

After identifying those high schools with the weakest statistics, the board then traced the junior high schools that feed into the targeted high schools. Again, similar academic performance measures were gathered to identify the junior high schools with the lowest scores. Finally, the feeder elementary schools were identified where the same exercise was applied. Marshall Elementary School was one of these schools.

Recognizing that statistics only tell part of the story, the board then interviewed teachers and administrators familiar with the district to get a strong sense of the need of the various schools. Once a short list was generated, Board members held meetings with the key stakeholders at each school: the teachers, principals and parents. The commitment and support at Marshall Elementary were outstanding. Marshall was also selected because its students come from a diverse community, and represent a student body that generally stays together over the years.

What happens if a dreamer moves away to another city or state during the course of the program?

The philosophy of the "I Have a Dream Foundation" is that once a child is selected and as a dreamer, he or she remains a participant in the program whether or not he or she remains in the local IHAD community. In other words, a dreamer remains eligible to receive additional academic resources, support, advice and college tuition assistance (according to the IHAD- SF tuition assistance policy) as long the dreamer's academic progress, address, and school location is regularly communicated to the IHAD - SF staff.

What do parents have to do in order for their child to be eligible to participate in IHAD - SF?

At the program's inception, all parents Marshall Elementary School's third graders committed to the following in order for their child to participate in IHAD- SF

• Helping their child succeed in school, and providing the necessary support and guidance to ensure that their child will complete high school and fulfill his or her full potential through college, vocational school, or fulfilling employment.
• Working in collaboration with their child, their child's school and "I Have a Dream" - San Francisco by attending individual conferences related to their child's educational progress, by encouraging and assisting their child in attending "I Have a Dream" - San Francisco activities, meetings, and field trips and by participating and volunteering themselves whenever appropriate.
• Keeping "I Have a Dream" - San Francisco informed of the child's current address, telephone number and school.

What do students have to do in order to participate in IHAD - SF?

In order to participate in the IHAD - SF program, all eligible students must commit to doing the following:

• Attend school regularly, doing their homework, believing in themselves, and working a little bit every day toward their goals
• Want to be a member of the "I Have a Dream" - San Francisco community
• Attend tutoring sessions, field trips and other IHAD activities as often as possible.

How will you keep track of the Dreamers now that they attend different high schools?

The IHAD - SF Program and its full-time staff of four are currently housed on site at Gateway High School and provide individualized case management to all of the Dreamers. Case managers are responsible for contacting the Dreamers’ schools and for getting each Dreamer’s report card each quarter, transcript each semester and test scores at the end of each year. For both Gateway and off-site Dreamers, IHAD case managers also mail each trimester’s grades to the Dreamers’ mentors and tutors, so that they can also stay informed and up to date about their mentees’ academic progress and set goals/provide incentives as appropriate. After reviewing Dreamers' report cards, IHAD case managers use this information to identify Dreamers who need special assistance to improve in their classes, or who have earned special recognition and field trips through our "Academic All-Stars" program. Any concerns regarding individual Dreamers are discussed with all staff during weekly team meetings and follow up steps, resources, and supports are identified and assigned.

In order to maintain close relationships with Dreamers who IHAD staff members do not see on a daily basis, case managers communicate with their families and reach out to these Dreamers to invite them to weekend special events and field trips. Many off-site Dreamers continue to be matched with mentors, to attend field trips, events and summer programs, and to receive special academic help such as evening/weekend tutors. We also meet with each Dreamer in the Fall and Spring semesters to offer support and guidance, and encourage and empower each youth to reflect on his/her post high school plan and future goals and adopt practices to make these come to fruition.

Although the specific programming components have changed over time with students' changing developmental, social and academic needs, the staff's involvement, follow up, and support of each of the Dreamers has remained a constant. In addition, monthly meetings for Dreamers and parents and regular all-group field trips and activities have ensured the Dreamers' continued identification with the program and access to the very special support structure that the IHAD - SF community represents.

Will IHAD - SF be taking on any other dreamer classes in the future besides the current high school students?

For funding reasons, at this time, the "I Have a Dream" Program in San Francisco is only available to the current San Francisco Dreamer cohort. However, we would be more than happy to assist anyone interested in raising additional funds and starting a new cohort of San Francisco Dreamers!

What tuition assistance does IHAD-SF offer to the dreamers when they graduate from high school?

IHAD - SF Tuition Assistance Policy Explanation of Tuition Assistance:

The "I Have a Dream" Foundation - San Francisco promises to provide tuition assistance for every member of the class who gains admission to a two- or four-year accredited college or university. The Foundation will provide tuition assistance not to exceed $10,000 per year for up to four years. Tuition will be paid directly to the student's college or university.

The purpose of IHAD's tuition assistance is to make the pursuit of higher education possible. Every Dreamer is required to apply for financial aid and scholarships from public and private sources. The Foundation's tuition obligations are provided on a "last dollar" basis. The Foundation's tuition assistance commitment is limited to the difference between the cost of tuition at the college or university and the amount of financial aid a Dreamer receives from public or private sources to cover tuition costs. The Foundation's tuition obligations will have been met if a student's tuition expenses are paid in full through a grant or loan from public funds, a college or university scholarship, or any other source of financial aid. In this case, the Sponsor may specially approve assistance for other education related expenses such as books or fees.

Tuition assistance is not intended to meet room, board, travel, or book expenses for students, but the Foundation may assist sponsored students and their families in finding grants, loans, work study jobs, or summer employment to meet these additional costs of attending college.

Students should graduate from high school no later than June, 2010 and enter college within 1 year of high school graduation, unless a special extension is granted by the Foundation. Tuition assistance is available for no more than 8 semesters or 12 quarters, to be completed within 4 years of entering college. Students must pursue a degree granting course of study and remain in good academic standing to be eligible for tuition assistance.

Tuition assistance will also be granted for students pursuing associate degrees or vocational training at accredited, degree granting institutions, subject to the Foundation's approval. Tuition assistance will not be available to pay for training at non accredited, non degree granting vocational institutes.