Beat the Odds began as a research study that wanted to answer the question, “What does it take to get great results in schools with mostly low-income, mostly Latino students?” The research team under the sponsorship of the Center for the Future of Arizona and the Morrison Institute found twelve elementary and middle schools in Arizona whose students are mostly Latino and mostly low-income that are “beating the odds” in reading and math scores. Their findings, published in 2006, pointed to six keys, or principles, for success: clear bottom line, ongoing assessment, strong and steady principal, collaborative solutions, stick with the program and built to suit. As part of their recommendations, the team called for the implementation of these best practices into every school in Arizona.

The Beat the Odds Institute and the BTO School Partners Program were established in 2007 by Lattie Coor under the umbrella of the Center for the Future of Arizona to disseminate information, offer training and provide support to schools and school districts in implementing the Beat the Odds principles.