Harold Levy's Legacy & Success for Students with Financial Need
November 30, 2018 – Here’s our weekly roundup of education news you may have missed. Colleagues and friends remember former Executive Director Harold O. Levy. Research examines how earning AP credits and filing a single FAFSA could streamline pathways for students with financial need.
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Remembering Harold O. Levy:
We were saddened to learn of Harold O. Levy’s passing this week. His inspirational leadership and commitment to our mission guided the Foundation for four years. Harold’s legacy lives on in the students he fought for — demanding that they have access to an education that could transform the trajectory of their futures.
A New York Times obituary details his accomplishments as New York City Schools Chancellor. Harold is remembered by The Hechinger Report‘s Liz Willen and Education Week‘s Lesli A. Maxwell and Catherine Gewertz. Cooke Scholars Alessandro Bailetti and An Garagiola-Bernier describe Harold’s mentorship in NPR. On social media, many friends, colleagues, and fellow education advocates shared his most recent op-ed, coauthored with Peg Tyre this past April.
Elementary & Secondary Education:
- Jonathan Plucker writes about excellence gaps in Minnesota for The High Flyer.
- The Urban Institute asks, “More than 60 years after Brown v. Board of Education, why does school segregation persist?”
Higher Education:
- “Students who accumulate Advanced Placement (AP) credits in high school take higher-level courses in college and are more likely to earn a double major,” reports Education Dive. “In addition, Pell Grant recipients are especially more likely to earn their degrees in a shorter length of time.”
- Research from the Center for American Progress demonstrates that making the making the FAFSA a one-time requirement would simplify the financial aid process. Currently, students must file a new FAFSA each year even though expected family contribution (EFC) remains relatively unchanged for most students who qualify for need-based grants.
- Distance from home influences where students choose to attend college. The Conversation explores whether virtual reality college tours will encourage rural students to consider institutions farther from home. Campus fly-in programs and virtual tours are among the resources shared by the Foundation’s educational advisers in a recent tips for building a college list video.
- NASPA explains how advising has shifted from an “academic transaction” to become more focused on student experience, support, and success.
Cooke Foundation Highlights:
- Dr. Jennifer Glynn, director of research at the Cooke Foundation, will host an upcoming Grantmakers for Education webinar about assessing and funding education research.
- Teen Vogue features Cooke Scholar An Garagiola-Bernier’s work to address food insecurity at Century College and Hamline University. An was also recently interviewed by Minnesota Public Radio about her experience transferring from community college to a four-year institution.
Social Media Spotlight:
Photo header: Harold Levy with Cooke Transfer Scholars.