Providing equal education opportunities for all is a complicated task and there are organizations working to make this a reality. The NPEA/Cooke Award for Excellence in Educational Access recognizes an NPEA member organization or program that has made a notable difference in the lives of historically marginalized students. Here’s the 2020 winner. –By Brian Hurlburt, Host, Magnifying Excellence Podcast.
Philadelphia Futures was honored in 2020. Philadelphia Futures has a 30-year track record supporting students on the journey to – and through – college. The organization offer comprehensive resources designed to help students and families break down the academic, financial, and social barriers that have historically prevented low-income, first-generation-to-college students from achieving college success.
“We are thrilled and honored to be recognized with the NPEA/Cooke Award for Excellence in Educational Access! We do what we do at Philadelphia Futures because we care deeply about educational equity and ensuring that all students in Philadelphia have what they need to succeed in college and thrive in life. That is never more true than right now. Thank you, NPEA, for partnering with us in this important work.” – Sara Woods, Executive Director, Philadelphia Futures.
The mission of the The National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA) is a membership organization that connects the people, practices, and innovations essential for eliminating barriers to educational access and college and career success for underserved students.
The Cooke Award honors organizations that have demonstrated:
- Effective practices in supporting historically marginalized students with high-quality educational opportunities along the K-16 continuum;
- Commitment to using data to inform and improve programming as well as organizational/program practices more broadly;
- Support for students’ personal growth and success as critical thinkers, ethical leaders, and supportive community members;
- Commitment to sustainability, including evidence of systems that support long-term success and/or potential growth;
- Leadership in the community and commitment to the field of educational access; and
- Creative problem-solving, innovation, adaptability, and productive growth in meeting the needs of their constituents.
The award is sponsored by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation.
More on the award and the NPEA.