Updates on HEA proposals, NAEP data, and the digital divide

Three students in conversation in front of a bright yellow wall

November 1, 2019 – Here’s what we’re reading this week about the issues affecting high-achieving students. Our updates include the release of new NAEP data and statistics on the digital divide. In higher ed, we’re following HEA proposals and a new YouTube tip series for college students.

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High-achieving high school seniors can now apply for the Cooke College Scholarship Program, and the Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship is accepting applications from community college students preparing to transfer to a four-year institution. Both programs provide up to $40,000 per year, as well as comprehensive educational advising and access to the thriving Cooke Scholar community.

 

Elementary & Secondary Education:

  • “What if every student had their own education plan?” asks Harvard Ed. Magazine. “This isn’t, of course, a totally new way of thinking — it’s just one that has been slow to take hold in a large-scale way.”
  • Following the release of 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data, the Urban Institute updates its online tool for calculating adjusted NAEP scores.
  • “Although lower-income teens spend more time consuming entertainment media, they are less likely to have access to laptops, and they spend more time doing homework on mobile phones instead.” That’s one finding from a survey of children’s media use summarized in NPR.

 

Higher Education:

  • Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher initiative created a 10-episode YouTube series to guide students through their first year of college. The videos cover financial aid, the importance of finding your community, and more.
  • “In the last several weeks, both Democrats and Republicans have introduced bills designed to address college access, costs, and other policies,” reports Education Week. “Both proposals would amend the Higher Education Act, which was last reauthorized in 2008 and is overdue for reauthorization.”

 

Cooke Foundation Highlights:

  • Cooke Scholars shared their stories across social media in celebration of #TransferStudentWeek. See their advice for community college students planning to complete a four-year degree!
  • Philanthropy News Digest features the stories of 2019 Cooke Graduate Scholars Daniella Royer, Shawn Zamani, and Micon Garvilles.
  • A recap of the 2019 Philanthropy Summit hosted by the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties is available from Loudoun County Public Schools, which includes encouraging results from the Propel and Level Up programs.

 

Social Media Spotlight:

 

Photo header: Cooke Scholars explore topics at Scholars Weekend.