Latest Coverage

"Five schools in Philadelphia made the cut for a 'high progress' designation, based on increases in achievement in math and reading across all student in the schools. Four Philadelphia district schools Lankenau High School, Philadelphia Military Academy at Elverson, Juniata Park Academy and Eliza B. Kirkbride School earned spots along with one charter school, Freire Charter School in Center City. Across the state, 16 schools made the 'high progress' list. School leaders attribute that progress to a variety of factors, from a rebooted school day to getting better equipment."

"When President Barack Obama announced an ambitious new plan to make community college free this past Friday during a speech at Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, Tennessee, his remarks drew an enthusiastic applause. And it drew praise in certain sectors of higher education because of its emphasis on boosting student access and success. 'The president's proposal certainly fits into that category,' said Dr. Walter G. Bumphus, president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges. 'This is an exciting day for the nation's community colleges.' But among policymakers, analysts and college access advocates, the planknown formally as America's College Promisedrew skepticism about its workability and practicality. It also drew questions about the extent to which the plan would truly benefit the students who need it the most and why the president doesn't focus more on finding ways to fund the Pell Grant program that helps low-income students pay for college."

"In a policy climate enamored with technology and distance learning, the Freedom and Citizenship Program at Columbia University stands out for its commitment to books and teachers. For the past six years, low-income, mostly minority, high school students have arrived on Columbia University's campus to take a three-week intensive seminar based on the Columbia College Core Curriculum. These students return to campus throughout the academic year to research a contemporary political issue, such as immigration and prison reform. As Casey Blake, the American studies professor who directs the program explains: 'The goal is not only to introduce the students to the centuries-old debate about the meaning of freedom and citizenship but also to prepare them for lives as active, engaged citizens.'"

"FUEL an acronym for the organization's old name, Families United in Educational Leadership is a Boston-based college savings program that matches within a certain range the amount each family saves for a student's education. But it does much more than that, teaching low-income families many of whom are immigrants how to navigate the higher-education process, from finding the right school to paying for it. Through a series of monthly workshops, the program, which partners with schools and community organizations in Lynn, Chelsea, and Boston, focuses on helping the entire family, not just the student."

"Homeport, a nonprofit housing developer, plans to renovate 59 low-income apartments for seniors and families in Columbus' Short North and the area around Ohio State University this year."

"Bob Kincaid, co-founder of the Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Get Veterans Involved (GVI), has found that it's possible to kill two birds with one stone. His nonprofit helps two groups veterans who struggle when they return from service, and elementary school kids in need of mentors at the same time. How is that possible? While veterans train for new jobs or attend college, the organization pays them to visit local elementary schools each week."

"The money will go toward the program's weekly "Stepping Stones" class, which provides educational experiences for children from low-income families with little or no access to prekindergarten opportunities. The grant will also support the scholarship fund which allows these children to take general PRC classes. These classes include music, arts and crafts, science, sports and preschool classes."

"A Chelsea-based retirement senior living and service group is bringing nursing-home level care to elderly residents in Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale counties. United Methodist Retirement Communities Inc. announced Wednesday, Jan. 7, plans to create the Cascade Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)."