CDF
History & Mission
The Freedom Schools Model
The CDF Way
Policies and Practices
100

This is what the acronym “CDF” stands for.

What is the Children’s Defense Fund?

100

The social justice movement that sparked the founding of the CDF.

What is the Civil Rights Movement?

100

CDF Freedom Schools are open to scholars in this grade range.

What is Kindergarten through 12th grade (K–12)?

100

All staff are expected to uphold this guiding framework of behavior and professionalism.

What is The CDF Freedom Schools Way?

100

Profanity, vulgarity, or inappropriate gestures are prohibited in these.

What are media submissions like videos and photos?

200

One of the ways CDF has shaped public policy is by influencing laws in this area.

What is:

child health

education

or poverty reduction?

200

Marian Wright Edelman served as legal counsel for this campaign led by Dr. King.

What is the Poor People’s Campaign?

200

This is the required Scholar-to-SLI ratio in a classroom.

What is 10:1?

200

This high-energy morning ritual kicks off every day at Freedom Schools.

What is Harambee!?

200

These individuals must provide consent before sharing data or media.

Who are parents, guardians, or featured individuals?

300

This is the year the Children’s Defense Fund was established.

What is 1973?

300

The CDF’s mission is to ensure every child has this kind of start in life.

What is a Healthy Start, Head Start, Fair Start, Safe Start, and Moral Start?

300

These are the three generations CDF Freedom Schools aim to impact.

What are scholars, SLIs, and families?

300

One of the core values of “The CDF Way.”

What is respect, honesty, service, or cooperation?

300

CDF Freedom Schools maintain this strict stance on weapons.

What is a zero-tolerance weapons policy?

400

She was the first Black woman admitted to the Mississippi Bar and founder of the CDF.

Who is Marian Wright Edelman?

400

One reason the CDF continues to advocate for children in America today.

What is because millions of children still lack a strong start in life?

400

This is the minimum number of scholars a site must serve.

What is 30?

400

The Freedom Schools curriculum is based on this inclusive educational approach.

What is a multicultural and culturally relevant curriculum?

400

All essential program staff must attend this training institute.

What is the Ella Baker Child Policy Training Institute?

500

Before CDF, Edelman founded this research-focused legal organization.

What is the Washington Research Project?

500

This is what CDF believes every child has the potential to fulfill.

What is their God-given potential?

500

Two things provided daily to scholars in the Freedom Schools program.

What are nutritious meals and literacy/leadership development?

500

Weekly, scholars are encouraged to do this to build their home libraries.

What is keep a book each week?

500

Staff are required to report suspected neglect or abuse because they serve in this legal role.

What is any role?
(we are ALL mandated reporters)