The EdD Urban Education Program Cohort 20
Education Equity Fund proudly supports three of this cohort.
Who We Are
EEF is a Chicago based Strategic Social Investor, formed in 2020 with a goal of selectively addressing seemingly intractable challenges. EEF identified long standing shortages of highly trained K-12 Educators prepared to work where they are needed most. We are now executing an “evergreen funding plan” that is practical, efficient and provides great social returns.
On August 22, 2022 at Chicago’s City Club, Dr. Janice Jackson, Former CEO of CPS and now executive director of the Aspen Institute Education & Policy Program, succinctly summarized the fundamental challenge. “We have to deal with the talent issue. We don’t have enough teachers. We don’t have enough principals. We don’t have enough superintendents. We don’t have enough qualified educators to do the work that needs to be done.”
Dr Jackson’s identification of the talent shortage is matched by The Wallace Foundation’s evaluation of the solution. In their Research Report “How Principals Affect Students and Schools” Wallace concluded that “Principals really matter. Indeed, it is difficult to envision an investment with a higher potential return than a successful effort to improve principal leadership.” “It is hard to imagine a higher rate of return than investing and supporting great school leaders.”
EEF identified The University of Illinois at Chicago’s EdD degree program in Urban School Leadership as one of the very best programs training school leaders. EEF now supports a diverse group of high-potential candidates who have been admitted or are enrolled in this excellent program, but simply need more financial support so that they may continue on a path to success as K-12 Educators.
EdD candidates that we have helped fund, now serve thousands of students in dozens of schools. We see their impact and success often as we read of schools where student results exceed the norms.
What We Do
EEF provides simple zero interest rate loans, to qualified candidates so that they may successfully participate in high-quality educational training programs that absent our funding, would be unaffordable.
EEF partners with educational programs that have a demonstrated track record of excellent outcomes and successful placement. Our partners identify promising students who need financial assistance. We provide the funding that makes it possible. The repayment of principal over time creates an “evergreen fund” to support subsequent cohorts of students.
In our sixth year EEF will expand its program. To date we have responded episodically to unforeseen financial need. This has allowed us to support great candidates that were at risk of leaving their programs due to lack of funding. Beginning with the January 2027 UIC EdD in Urban School Leadership cohort we will provide financial support to allow a student that would otherwise not be able to start the program.
Our support for the EdD program will extend from a role in helping retain students to a role of helping attract the very best candidates to careers of service to Chicago’s School Children.
To date the graduates of this program we have helped have had great success as school leaders.
Donate
When you donate today, your contribution will help fund a diverse class of high potential EdD candidates admitted to the University of Illinois’s nationally recognized Urban Education Leadership program, but who need financial support. Today’s carefully selected candidates will be tomorrow’s highly trained school leaders and the guides for our children’s future.
The Education Equity Fund, NFP is a registered 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization. All contributions are fully Tax deductible for Federal and State Income Tax Purposes