History
With a research base of over 20 years, input from top scholars throughout the country, and the generous support of various foundations, the Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations (QISA) has emerged as the international leader in the study of student aspirations. Founded by Dr. Russell J. Quaglia, QISA is located in Portland, Maine and has earned 501(c)(3) status as an independent nonprofit organization. QISA's staff of professional educators conducts research and develops program materials and initiatives on a national and international scale, working directly with students, teachers, school leaders, parents, and educational policy makers.
As most stories go, there were many tough roads for the Aspirations work to travel before it reached national and international prominence. The study of student aspirations was initially perceived as "soft," not important, and difficult to determine how to operationalize in schools. Nonetheless, with persistence and the belief that all students have something to teach us, the study of aspirations, under the direction of Dr. Quaglia, continued to advance.
Early on, our Aspirations work was fortunate enough to have top scholars in the field provide expertise and guidance which helped shape the Institute into what it is today. Scholars such as Robert Cobb, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Linda Darling-Hammond, Ted Sizer, Herb Walberg, William Damon, Jonathan Cohen, John Tanner and many others have contributed to the success and knowledge base of the Institution.
While our Aspirations journey began in the university system, QISA ultimately established itself as an independent nonprofit organization with support from L.L.Bean (Dr. Quaglia's favorite outfitter), encouragement from Governor Baldacci, a dedicated and loyal staff, and many sacrifices made by the Quaglia family. As an independent entity, QISA is agile and can respond quickly to the needs of educational communities. The Institute has effectively established amazing organizational and university partnerships without being hindered by the politics of institutional life.
From the outset, the guiding force behind QISA has been the belief that students are the potential, not the problem, in today's educational system. QISA is driven by the importance of student voice and the conviction that students have something to teach us. They are our companions on this educational journey. The work of QISA is grounded in the belief that there are conditions in each student's learning environment that educators can influence in order to foster student aspirations, thereby influencing students' personal, social, physical and academic growth.
Since its inception, QISA has provided resources to schools, conducted workshops for parents, educators and students, reached countless numbers of educators through motivational speeches, and surveyed students, staff and parents throughout the world. As one can see from QISA's recently established Aspirations Academy and Aspirations Research Center, the organization has come into its own.
QISA's vision for the future is to continue to lead the way in educational research and best practices for schools based on the 8 Conditions that Make a Difference®. With QISA's numerous publications, an aggressive research agenda, world-class partnerships, and a "can-do" attitude, the road's possibilities are endless.
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