Messaging College Access & Serving High-Achievers

Four students stand in front of a large bookcase.

November 15, 2019 – Here’s what we’re reading this week about the issues affecting high-achieving students. Admissions advantages and prohibitive costs are concerning for college access. Designing effective and equitable practices for advanced learners is discussed in K-12 coverage.

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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. Deadline to apply: Wednesday, November 20, 2019. 

 

Elementary & Secondary Education:

  • As Seattle Public Schools reconsiders the structure of its gifted education program, The Seattle Times provides a historical timeline of motivations and models that shaped the district’s offerings.
  • “Many believe that children learn more effectively in schools or classes with similar learners, but are they right?” Jo Boaler shares research on the practice of tracking for advanced learners in The Hechinger Report.

 

Higher Education:

  • “A college education has become more out of reach for middle-income families, especially in some states and at certain institution types.” Education Dive explains how some institutions are adjusting their messaging and financial aid policies.
  • In commentary for The Chronicle of Higher Education, Brian Rosenberg describes how providing incentives for early admission students disadvantages students with financial need, who are already more likely to apply through the regular decision process.

 

Cooke Foundation Highlights:

  • University-led initiatives like the Valley Scholars Program play a critical role in supporting students in rural communities. Executive Director Seppy Basili shares lessons learned from our recent “Small Town, Big Talent” research.
  • District Administration connects insights from three recent rural education reports, including the Foundation’s “Small Town, Big Talent” research: “The report covers strategies communities are using to support rural students, such as working harder to identify academically promising young people, creating mentoring programs, and providing learning opportunities outside their hometowns.”
  • Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award recipients John Robert Santiago and Joshua Choi will perform at a live taping of NPR’s “From the Top” on November 20, reports the Penobscot Bay Pilot.

 

Social Media Spotlight:

Photo header: Four very insightful students from Loudoun County Public Schools visited the Foundation for the division’s annual Job for a Day program. The students learned about careers in finance, grant operations, communications, and counseling from Foundation staff members.