Tag Archive
beneficiary perceptionsAppreciating an Underdeveloped Source of Insight
February 21st, 2013
Amidst a flurry of recent talk about the opportunities and challenges presented by the application of “big data” in philanthropy, one aspect of the conversation that is often overlooked is beneficiary feedback. Yet, with a growing body of research that demonstrates a link between beneficiary perceptions and outcomes, there is both a moral and an effectiveness argument to be made for listening to those we seek to help. ...
We Just Need To Listen
November 14th, 2012
There is a wonderful piece in October’s The Atlantic that anyone who cares about educating kids ought to read. “Why Kids Should Grade Teachers” by Amanda Ripley makes a powerful case for incorporating student feedback into educational reform efforts. ...
Listening to Beneficiaries: Why Are We So Bad At It?
September 22nd, 2011
CEP has been actively exploring the topic of beneficiary feedback through its YouthTruth project since 2008. We were very pleased to share what we are learning – and to challenge the status quo — on the Tactical Philanthropy blog this week, where the following post was originally published. ...
Funder Uses YouthTruth Data to Spark Community Engagement
September 9th, 2011
When the California Endowment’s Laura Olson began working in the far northern region of Del Norte County, California, she faced a dilemma. Del Norte County (and Adjacent Tribal Lands) is one of 14 communities that make up the California Endowment’s Building Healthy Communities program. ...
Education, Philanthropy and Metrics
August 16th, 2011
In a recent interview with Black Enterprise magazine highlighted on the Foundation’s blog, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation U.S. ...
The Case for Looking at More Than Just Test Scores
August 10th, 2011
Phil Buchanan, Fay Twersky, and Valerie Threlfall highlight the work of the YouthTruth Initiative and argue the case for the importance of using student perceptions to gauge school performance. This piece originally appeared as an op ed in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on August 10. ...
Student Feedback: A Missing Link in Education Reform
November 18th, 2010
The following post by Valerie Threlfall, Director of CEP’s West Coast office, was originally published on the Huffington Post. With Joel Klein’s resignation as New York City schools chief, close on the heels of Michelle Rhee’s departure from Washington, DC, there is no shortage of controversy in today’s education community. ...
Age is Not a Prerequisite for Insight
October 5th, 2010
When I joined CEP in 2008, YouthTruth was simply an idea on a piece of paper. Our goal was to bring new voices, those of the beneficiary, to bear on the decision-making of school leaders, those who manage schools, and, perhaps most importantly, those who fund schools. ...
YouthTruth: Engaging Staff and Students in Gathering and Processing Feedback
October 1st, 2010
“You don’t need lots of gimmicks. All I need to know is that you are going to listen and take my feedback seriously. ...
Education Funders: Step Up and Hear from Those You Seek to Help
July 14th, 2010
This is widely seen to be a rare moment of potential dramatic change in the American system of K-12 education. Yet, in all the debate about what are the best strategies for improving educational outcomes for our young people, we hear precious little about the perspectives of young people themselves. ...









