"Mentors Quietly Lending Guiding Hands to D.C. Grads," The Washington Post, June 13, 2007
Here’s to mentors, the unsung heroes of educational achievement.
A cadre of extraordinarily selfless volunteers, they tend to be content to let parents and teachers get the credit and their proteges get the applause. But truth be told, hundreds of high school students are receiving diplomas who might not have otherwise because of the care and guidance of a mentor…
"Public Universities Chase Excellence, at a Price," New York Times, Dec. 20, 2006
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — If there is any goal that the University of Florida has pursued as fervently as a national football championship for the Gators, it is a place among the nation’s highest-ranked public universities.
“We need a top-10 university, so our kids can get the same education they would get at Harvard or Yale,�? said J. Bernard Machen, the university president…
"Making A Hard-Life Story Shine and Opening A Door to College," New York Times, July 27, 2007
The essay has become such an important part of applying to college that affluent students may turn to $200-an-hour writing coaches to help them produce the 500 perfect words that they hope will separate them from the pack.
{snip}
But the lives of Antoine and the other 36 students at the workshop, which is run by College Summit, a nonprofit organization, are defined by struggle…
"Preparing For Life After Highschool," Toronto Star, February 8, 2006
Few studies have had such an immediate impact on government policy as Bob Rae’s report on Ontario’s post-secondary education system. Tabled one year ago, the report prompted a significant reinvestment of government funds, including an expansion of student financial assistance for those not able to pay for college or university studies on their own.
Increased funding alone, however, will not go far enough in making access to post-secondary education in Ontario more equitable. Beyond the issue of funding, Rae’s report sought to draw attention to the need to better prepare students for college or university. This dimension of the report has yet to attract the attention it deserves…
"Too Poor to Graduate," New York Times, September 17, 2006
HERE’S something to think about as college students across the state settle into campus life.
According to a recently released study by the Department of Education, paying for college is a greater burden for New Yorkers than in any other state. The costs for low- and middle-income students to attend public universities and community colleges here represent nearly 50 percent of their annual family income. Furthermore, a new study on higher education put out by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, a nonprofit group, gave New York a failing grade for affordability…
"Bill Upgrades Student Aid Process ," Washington Times, July 25, 2007
The Senate sought yesterday to simplify the financial-aid process for students and to reduce conflicts of interest in the student loan industry.
In a 95-0 vote, the Senate passed a bill aimed at streamlining the financial-aid process by creating a new, simplified financial aid application form. Critics say the existing one is too long, seeks redundant information and is confusing…
