Helios Education Foundation

The gender-based achievement gap in Florida schools is even wider when race is considered 📊 Notably, while more than 50% of Asian and white boys achieved English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency for all middle school grades, fewer than 50% of Black boys achieved proficiency.

Learn more about our findings at https://ow.ly/JBhw50Q1CQ9

| WestEd

For 19 years, the Helios/Dominick and Emelene Aripoli Scholarship program has helped remove financial barriers for first-generation college students. Tonight, Helios Board member Don Aripoli, the University of South Florida Foundation, USF student scholars, and their families came together to honor the students and celebrate academic excellence.

We're honored to be a long-time supporter of Education Forward Arizona's College Knowing & Going program since it launched in 2015! Today, Paul Luna welcomed Arizona educators to the Campus for the CKG Statewide Collaborative.

We're thrilled to see our combined policy efforts with Read On Arizona enact the science of reading certification and help Arizona students get one step closer to reading by the third grade 📖👨‍🏫

More teachers to get certified in the ‘science of reading’ The Kyrene Elementary School District has been working with a science of reading curriculum for years, specifically focusing on the younger students.

🎉 20 years of Center for the Future of Arizona! 🎉 From the first grant we awarded CFA in 2007 to developing the committed partnership we have today, we look forward to continuing to work with them to achieve the Arizona we want—for all Arizonans.

| Governor Katie Hobbs Michael Crow Arizona State University

DYK? Orange County Public Schools' Parent and Family Engagement department works to increase student achievement through staff professional learning, parent workshops, and opportunities to build and foster community and family relationships.

Learn more about groups in FL working to close achievement gaps at https://ow.ly/h4oP50PZTBk

The Read to the Final Four ® challenge tipped off today with Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor 📖🏀 We're honored to team up with the Phoenix Final Four Local Organizing Committee and NCAA to bring this free contest to Arizona schools and inspire a new generation of readers.

NCAA Men's Final Four Cartwright School District #83 Phoenix Mercury

Taurasi, Taylor launch statewide Read to the Final Four ® contest in Cartwright School District - Helios Education Foundation The Phoenix Final Four Local Organizing Committee, the NCAA and Helios are teaming up to present Read to the Final Four, which is free and open to Arizona schools.

This week, Florida families and students participated in the at Millennium Middle School - Seminole County Public Schools, supported by Helios. Students were encouraged to think outside the box through fun math activities 📐

Learn more about the tour at https://ow.ly/TTCc50PYnfO

Photo credit: UF Lastinger Center for Learning

Oct. 31 🎓 Join our virtual event to hear from Arizona leaders with Arizona State University, Education Forward Arizona and Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation on the importance of college attainment and growing Arizona's workforce, hosted by Arizona Capitol Times.

Morning Scoop: College attainment and growing Arizona’s workforce | Arizona Capitol Times About About College attainment and growing Arizona’s workforce REGISTER NOW Arizona will need at least 500,000 additional college degrees and certificates to meet the Achieve60AZ goal of ensuring that 60% of working-age adults in Arizona hold a postsecondary credential by 2030. Currently, only 48%...

Join our team! 💼 We're hiring a Director of Student Success Initiatives in Florida to assist in developing goals and objectives aligned with our Florida Black Student Success strategy.

Director, Student Success Initiatives - Florida - Helios Education Foundation Join Helios Education Foundation's team as the Director, Student Success Initiatives - Florida. Learn more about the role here.

"This isn't just about boys falling behind in school – it's a reality that impacts all our children's futures and the future of our state. It's about ensuring that every child in our state has an equal opportunity to succeed."

Hear more from our President & CEO Paul J. Luna on addressing the gender-based achievement gap in Florida schools 🖋️ | WestEd

A call to action: Addressing Florida's gender-based achievement gap in schools - Helios Education Foundation Every child in Florida should be given the chance to succeed. Read Paul J. Luna's op-ed on addressing the gender-based achievement gap in FL schools.

Coming soon! Todd Sanders interviewed Paul J. Luna today for an episode of Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundation’s podcast “Let’s Talk Business Phoenix” 🎙️

Thank you to the Greater Phoenix Economic Council and its partners for joining us to explore data on Arizona's workforce and high school outcomes at the ASU Helios Decision Center for Educational Excellence (DCEE) 💼

Learn more about DCEE: https://decisioncenter.asu.edu/

Happy 10-year Helios anniversary, Erika! 🎉 As the Director of Grants Administration, Erika has a vital role in assisting external partners and our staff on procedural and technical issues throughout the grant process.

Fun fact: As a true Floridian, Erika enjoys scuba diving and spending time at the beach.

Every student who participated in Arizona State University's new Spanish-language film will receive a $1,000 scholarship to continue their studies, courtesy of ASU and Helios. Learn more about "College Tour en Espanol" and its impact on Latino students in Arizona 📽️

‘College Tour en Español’ debuts at ASU During a special red carpet premiere at ASU’s West campus, hundreds of Hispanic families had the opportunity to watch the "College Tour en Español," a 30-minute film featuring the personal journeys of 10 students at ASU, which is scheduled for livestreaming on Amazon Prime later this year.

It’s imperative that every child is provided an equal opportunity to succeed.

Explore our latest report, created in partnership with WestEd, on addressing gender-based gaps in education and improving student achievement in Florida 📚 https://ow.ly/PRMJ50PTy9T

“The information in this report serves as a launch point for leaders across the state who want to ensure male students live up to their fullest academic potential.” - Former Rep. Fred Hawkins (South Florida State College)

Learn more about the creation of the Florida Department of Education's taskforce and how that led to our latest research with WestEd on closing the gender achievement gap in schools.

Research shows ‘significant’ gender achievement gaps for boys, but there’s hope to close it 'The strategies we outline in the report focus on how to leverage students' assets and build learning environments that not only improve student achievement, but also foster students' growth and development to reduce achievement gaps.'

Latino students are expected to represent more than 50% of the student population in Arizona by 2026 🎓

Learn more about our goal to improve outcomes for low-income and Latino students in AZ ➡️ https://ow.ly/4oNn50PSIqc

Florida teacher Mrs. Harmon saw the gender-based achievement gap in her classroom close by about 6% after introducing flexible seating and providing more books boys enjoy 📚 Read more about Pinellas Education Foundation and Pinellas County Schools' work to close the gap.

Pinellas County program closing gender achievement gap in participating schools A study by Helios found boys are performing lower than girls, especially Black boys, in Florida schools.

Paul J. Luna was recognized alongside past recipients of the Pete Garcia Los D-backs Hispanic Leadership Award during Arizona Diamondbacks' Hispanic Heritage Weekend ⚾

Congratulations to the 2023 winner, Arizona Community Foundation's Anna María Chávez!

Photo courtesy: Dbacks

"We want all students to do well so that they have (postsecondary) opportunities by the time they get through high school."

📺 Hear SVP Paul Perrault on LiveNOW from FOX discuss our latest research, created in partnership with WestEd, exploring the gender-based achievement gap in Florida’s education system.

Gender gaps in Florida education LiveNOW from FOX | Raw & unfiltered news

"This isn’t just about boys falling behind in school — it’s a reality that impacts all our children’s futures and the future of our state. It’s about ensuring that every child in our state has an equal opportunity to succeed."

Hear more from Paul J. Luna in his Tampa Bay Times guest column on the gender-based achievement gap in Florida’s education system.

Here’s how we can address Florida’s gender achievement gap in schools | Column Male students lag females in English Language Arts proficiency at the elementary and middle school levels by up to 10 percentage points — a gap that persists across racial and ethnic groups.

Several Florida districts, schools and programs are working to close the gender-based achievement gap. Impact Florida reported positive student and teacher gains from the first implementation of its program, "Solving with Students Cadre."

Learn more ➡️ https://ow.ly/W6pH50PRtfc

| WestEd

Don't miss Arizona State University's special screening of "The College Tour en Español" this Sunday, Oct. 1, at ASU West campus!

I invite prospective students and their families to visit the ASU West campus on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 2pm for a special screening of "The College Tour en Español," a Spanish-language film featuring 10 ASU students as they share their personal learning journeys. They will also join us for a Q&A after the film.

ASU is excited to host this event as part of our Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, and I hope you will share this opportunity with others interested in learning more about ASU.

My thanks to Ana Mafud at Telemundo for serving as emcee, and to Paul Luna and the Helios Education Foundation for sponsoring this special event.

Read to the Final Four is back! 📖🏀 The Phoenix Final Four Local Organizing Committee, the NCAA and Helios are teaming up to present this free contest to Arizona schools to accelerate third graders' reading skills and increase academic achievement.

⏰ Schools are encouraged to register by October 13 | NCAA Men's Final Four

Read to the Final Four® contest tips off for third graders across Arizona - Helios Education Foundation The Phoenix Final Four Local Organizing Committee, the NCAA and Helios team up to present to accelerate reading skills and increase academic achievement among Arizona third graders.

Join our team! We're seeking a SVP for Communications to lead Helios’s communications, brand and reputation management, and message creation and alignment in support of investment, research, and policy efforts. Learn more about the role here 💼

Senior Vice President for Communications - Helios Education Foundation Join Helios Education Foundation's team as the Senior Vice President for Communications. Learn more about the role here.

Congratulations to our President & CEO Paul J. Luna and several of our community partners for being named Arizona Capitol Times 2023 Leaders of the Year! 🎉

Learn more ➡️ https://ow.ly/au8850PPXCw

In response to the Florida Department of Education's Task Force on Closing the Achievement Gap for Boys, Helios and WestEd have released new findings that can help address gender-based gaps in education and improve student achievement in Florida 📚

Check out the report to learn more ➡️ https://ow.ly/C3HR50PPE6w

Join our team! 💼 We're hiring a Director of Student Success Initiatives in Florida to assist in the development of goals and objectives aligned with our Florida Black Student Success strategy.

Director, Student Success Initiatives - Florida - Helios Education Foundation Join Helios Education Foundation's team as the Director, Student Success Initiatives - Florida. Learn more about the role here.

“One of my biggest worries was not being able to pursue higher education." 🎓

Read our Q&A with Angel Palazuelos and Reyna Montoya to learn how Aliento's Helios-funded program, Arizona's Future Fellowship, helps improve college access for undocumented students in AZ through peer-to-peer mentoring and leadership.

Partner Spotlight: Arizona’s Future Fellowship - Helios Education Foundation Learn how Aliento’s fellowship program has helped improve college access for undocumented students in Arizona.

Project ADELANTE is expected to support around 1,800 Hispanic and Latino students from the borderlands 👏 We applaud The University of Arizona for taking initiative and creating pathways to provide internship and career readiness programming for more students.

Arizona project supports Latino students from borderlands A new project targets persistence and cultural engagement among low-income and first-generation Hispanic and Latino students at the University of Arizona.