My Nonprofit Reviews
Doug Margolis
Review for CrossingBarriers, St. Paul, MN, USA
CrossingBarriers asked me to analyze and summarize data from Eden Prairie High School and the Eden Prairie School District in 2008. They were involved in advocating for students and parents who complained of discrimination by the school.
CrossingBarriers approach was to seek a meeting with school administrators to communicate students' and parents' experiences and attempt to work with the school district to develop effective strategies for ending discrimination and closing the achievement gap.
My analyses used official school district data to demonstrate that the students and parents' complaints were part of systemic problems that needed to be addressed. CrossingBarriers seemed to be an organization that worked collaboratively with school districts willing to address such systemic discrimination, and challenged the unwilling districts in every way possible.
I was very impressed with the leadership of the organization and the role it played in engaging the community to close achievement gaps in education.
More Feedback
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
The work with Eden Prairie School District (Minnesota) is an ongoing project. But I saw CrossingBarriers initiate and promote dialogue with the District administrators and school board. I also saw the organization connect with parents and community groups. CrossingBarriers took an issue that few were acknowledging and made it front page news.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would give it enough money to hire more people and help fund their various projects.
