A Decade of EduDream: Rooted and Growing
Our Story
Ten years ago, we dared to imagine something different: education research rooted in community, and built to improve opportunities for students and families. That belief became EduDream.
Since 2016, we have conducted research with 75 communities, partnering with foundations, nonprofits, and institutions to produce insights that are clear, actionable, and built to meet communities where they are. We’ve proven that when clarity and rigor meet community needs, applied research is a tool for systemic change.
This year, we’re marking a decade of that work. We’re reflecting on impact, deepening relationships with the partners who’ve made this possible, and setting our sights on what comes next. EduDream has always led with equity, staying true to our values even in challenging moments. That commitment doesn’t change.
A decade in, we are building for the next ten years of research that drives real change for students, families, and communities. We are rooted and growing.
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Watch How We Are Rooted and Growing
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Save the Date – Join us on June 10th in Chicago to celebrate 10 years of EduDream! RSVP HERE
Partner with EduDream
The need for equitable research has never been greater. For the next 10 years, we’re growing deeper roots and breaking new ground. We’ll keep conducting research that turns data into decisions that drive real change.
Curious to learn how you can grow with EduDream? Learn how you can partner with us.
CURRENT PARTNERS
Cultivate a multi-year partnership. Together, we can envision a world that is better for students, families, and schools.
NEW PARTNERS
Invest in accessible and actionable research rooted in rigor, from experts with lived experience.
RESEARCH COMMUNITY
Make equity-centered research as a priority, not an afterthought.
PRACTITIONERS AND EDUCATORS
Leverage our equity-centered research to advocate for the resources and approaches your students need to thrive.
Rooted and Growing: A Decade of Driving Change
Highlights of 10 years of equity-centered education research
Case Studies
Our partnerships are at the heart of everything we do. Through deep collaboration and rigorous research, we’ve helped organizations drive meaningful outcomes for students and communities.
Partnership for College Completion
Expanding college access and completion for students of color in Illinois
“EduDream’s attention to detail, the questions they ask, dependability, and the quality and rigor of their work are so refreshing. This success would not have been possible if it weren’t for EduDream laying the foundation for this report.”
– Kyle Westbrook, former Executive Director at Partnership for College Completion
Opportunity
Before EduDream’s long-term partnership with the Partnership for College Completion (PCC), there was no comprehensive study that examined both college access and completion for students of color in Illinois. Research showed that college enrollment rates of Black and Latino students were far less than those of their white peers. In collaboration with PCC, EduDream sought to deepen understanding of college access and success for low-income students and students of color in Illinois.
Research in Practice
EduDream synthesized literature and public data from state agencies, including the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and Illinois Board of Higher Education, to highlight trends in college affordability and accessibility. This analysis revealed that Black and Latino students are disproportionately concentrated in community colleges and for-profit institutions, which have far lower graduation rates. In addition, enrollment disparities exist between low-income students and their wealthier peers. At the time of the report release, Illinois was one of four states that cut funding for higher education, and college tuition and fees for public institutions were the fifth-highest in the nation.
Results in Action
The report called for targeted policy action to increase need-based aid, scale evidence-based completion models, and reorient campus cultures to prioritize student success. This actionable report led to praise from Senator Pat McGuire and key legislation that positively impacted Black and Brown student success. News coverage from the Chicago Tribune, WBEZ, and other outlets increased public awareness about the ongoing crisis of low college completion rates and persistent achievement gaps that exist along racial and socioeconomic lines.
Big Shoulders Fund
A $166 million investment backed by community-rooted research
“What resonates with me about EduDream is their deep focus on community needs and support for students and families. We are in a resource-constrained environment in education right now, and EduDream is committed to not only giving us the information we need but also deeply representing the communities that we serve in our conversations.”
– Rebecca Lindsay-Ryan, Chief Schools Officer at Big Shoulders Fund
Opportunity
Big Shoulders Fund provides support to schools with demonstrated need and contributes to a quality, values-based education for students. Big Shoulders created a research partnership with EduDream to understand how to expand its footprint in Northwest Indiana (NWI). NWI is the second-largest urban area in Indiana, and a region with high poverty and unemployment rates. Meeting the social, emotional, and educational needs of children and families from low-income backgrounds is especially critical to its resurgence and stability. EduDream was chosen for its deep focus on community needs and support for students and families.
Research in Practice
EduDream conducted a multistage qualitative and quantitative needs assessment that drew on publicly available data (e.g., U.S. Census, Indiana state education data) and engaged community leaders, members, and families. The critical insights provided a deeper understanding of the region’s demographics, economy, educational landscape, and community assets, and helped identify where additional services could have the greatest impact for students and families in NWI.
Results in Action
EduDream’s research contributed to an initial $16 million investment for the Big Shoulders Northwest Indiana expansion in 2019. This project was so successful that a $150 million investment was extended for 15 years in 2025. Technology, curricular resources, professional development opportunities, and academic programming are among the school improvements resulting from these investments, as supported by EduDream’s research.
The tree at the heart of this campaign was designed to reflect what EduDream has built over a decade. Ten branches represent 10 years of growth. Five brightly-colored stars, drawn from EduDream’s original logo, dance among the branches and represent the five core values that have guided the work from the beginning: Equity and Justice; Results and Impact; Hope and Opportunity; Human-Centered Intentionality; and Collaborative Leadership.