Theory of Transformation
To bolster better outcomes for students and families, Seeding Success supports systems change through four phases:
DESIGN
formal strategies and systems with institutions and community organizations that address current challenges and confront disparities within existing structures.
BUILD
capacity, capability, and coordination of systems through trust and engagement around a common agenda.
MANAGE
accountability and quality standards to address the root causes of underperformance and inequality.
SUSTAIN
improved outcomes to scale by diversifying funding sources, advocating for longterm policy change, and aligning with adjacent sector work.
Outcomes
Children enter school kindergarten-ready.
Children are reading on grade level by third grade.
Students graduate on time, ready for college and career.
Young adults are reconnected to opportunities for jobs and continuing education.
Adults have access to post-secondary opportunities to earn degrees and certifications.
IMPACT
Students and families experience increased social and economic mobility because they are equipped with all the resources and support they need to reach their full potential, cradle to career.
What Does System Change Look Like?
Over the past five years, Seeding Success has worked with local and national experts to create a system of support for children from prenatal to age eight. First 8 Memphis, previously referred to as Shelby County Early Childhood Education Plan (SCECEP), aligns and scales comprehensive programs that propel children toward kindergarten readiness and 3rd grade literacy in order to improve outcomes for our community’s most vulnerable families.
Using the Theory of Transformation, Seeding Success, in partnership with the City of Memphis, Shelby County Government, Porter-Leath, Shelby County Schools, Shelby County Municipal School Districts, and other early childhood stakeholders, aligned public and private resources, policy, and accountability to launch First 8 Memphis as a backbone organization for an integrated, high-quality early education system.
Design
2014-2015
Implement broad multi-year community design process to establish shared vision and plan that identifies priorities, goals, opportunities, and challenges.
Build
2016-2018
Seeding Success begins operation infrastructure to implement early phases of plan and coordination of partners.
Manage
2019-2020
Seeding Success hires additional staff, raises public and private capital, creates legal framework to provide oversight and accountability to strategy.
Sustain
TODAY
First 8 Memphis has an independent Board of Directors and an Executive Director, Dr. Kandace Thomas. Seeding Success helps secure public contracts, and identifies long term policy & advocacy opportunities for scaling and sustaining First 8 strategies.