Dave Lash and Grace Belfiore partner with clients to create transformational K-12 reforms and next generation learning solutions that give every student, regardless of personal and economic circumstance, a pathway to future success. We provide strategy, program development, and grant writing services in three domains:

Promise Neighborhoods
We have been deeply involved with this place-based, cradle-to-career program since its inception in 2010, helping develop three winning grant applications (and a fourth that missed funding by one-third of a point). We’ve helped clients understand program requirements, assess local needs and assets, identify evidence-based programs, facilitate planning, design their continuum of solutions, develop management and data systems, and prepare grant applications.

School Turnaround
The heart of our work with Promise Neighborhoods and other community-based programs is the redesign of K-12 schools to meet the in-school and out-of-school challenges of low-income and minority students. Dave and Grace are among the co-authors of The Turnaround Challenge, the influential 2007 research report that outlined a new framework for reforming and transforming failing high-poverty schools. Over 200,000 copies of the report have been downloaded and dozens of district, state, and federal initiatives currently use the framework. Our background in school reform informs our work in Investing in Innovation (i3), School Improvement Grants, Race to the Top, and other school reform initiatives.

Next Generation Learning
Dramatically improving academic and career outcomes for low-income and minority students calls for student-centered and mastery-based systems of learning that align flexibly and powerfully with each student’s current knowledge and needs, using new blends of teacher, tutor, technology, and time. Both Dave and Grace have significant experience in alternative and digital learning; we are working with clients on personalized and accelerated learning strategies, blended learning approaches, out-of-school time programs, 21st century skills, and career opportunity initiatives.

• Developing strategy and systems to achieve goals
  
• Designing new programs and initiatives
  
• Basing strategy and program design on promising “what works” research and models nationally
  
• Pursuing funding including grant writing