Who We Are
TAF is a nonprofit leader in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. We address three problems that keep students of color away from STEM: low expectations, a shortage of role models in STEM and lack of access to a quality, STEM-focused education. TAF partners with public education, businesses and the community to engage students in the real world of STEM.
The stakes are high. We can’t afford to lose more minds to poverty, or to lose more jobs to nations that are better prepared. Most importantly, we can’t afford to miss out on what any one of these students has to offer.
Mission
TAF equips students of color for success in college and life through the power of a STEM education.
Vision
By 2020, TAF will change the trajectory of 20,000 students of color in Washington State public schools every year. By providing exceptional options in public education, TAF’s programs will empower students to graduate on time and ready to pursue college degrees in critical STEM fields.
Strategic Goals
- Eliminate race-based disparity in academic achievement and enable all students to graduate ready for college;
- Increase access to rigorous STEM learning opportunities for students of color;
- Among people of color, increase awareness of and early participation in STEM-related fields;
- Reduce underrepresentation of people of color in Washington State’s STEM industry; and
- Initiate a wave of change in how public schools educate our youth.
Values
1. Commitment to Students
TAF is passionate about creating better outcomes in STEM disciplines for underserved students. Everything we do is to contribute to our students’ success.
2. Support for Authentic, Lasting Education Reform
TAF’s success creating STEM programs for students of color makes us a model for education reform. Our ability to stay the course proves that authentic, lasting reform is possible.
3. Work with Impact
TAF delivers unprecedented results: graduation rates well above the state’s average, extremely-high levels of college matriculation for underserved students, new models for pedagogy and instruction, and meaningful learning opportunities with STEM professionals.
4. Continuous Improvement and Learning
No matter how successful we are, there’s always room to learn more and improve. We actively, collectively improve, and share knowledge honestly and respectfully. We adjust our strategies based on lessons learned and performance data. We strive to continually improve our internal structure, staff expertise, training methods and curriculum in order to give our students the best educational experience possible.
5. Strategic and Collaborative Leadership and Partnerships
TAF provides a venue for open, thoughtful and productive conversations about authentic reform. We provide a model for public/private partnerships that can be replicated and that represent the kind of engagement essential to positively impacting underserved youth.
6. Fiscal Responsibility and Sound Business Ethics
We conduct our business with integrity and fiscal responsibility. We actively provide our donors with current, reliable information about how their gifts are applied, and we exercise prudent judgment in our responsibilities as a steward.
History
TAF has successfully offered technology-based programs for Greater Seattle’s students of color since 1996. Co-founders Trish Millines Dziko and Jill Hull Dziko shared a desire to create more opportunities for students of color to engage with STEM disciplines and to prepare them for college-level study and professional roles in those fields. With overwhelming community support for their idea, they started the Technology Access Foundation.
Read about Our Successes and TAF’s Next Chapter.