Launched in 2008 by the Children’s Book Council and Every Child A Reader, The Children’s & Teen Choice Book Awards program was created to provide young readers with an opportunity to voice their opinions about the books being written for them and to help develop a reading list that will motivate children to read more and cultivate a love of reading. These awards are the only national book awards program where the winning titles are selected by children and teens. In 2015, over 1,300,000 votes were cast by young readers. Voting runs through April 25, 2016.

Girls Write Now (GWN) offers two distinct mentoring programs: Writing & Mentoring Program and Digital Media Mentoring Program. Each is designed to provide mentees with the tools and support to critically develop their writing skills and explore new modes of creative expression. Girls in grades 9-12 who can commit to weekly in-person mentoring sessions, monthly Saturday workshops, and special events from September 2016 through June 2017 are welcome to apply. Visit the GWN website for full eligibility requirements and an application. Priority deadline is June 1, 2016.

The Alliance for Excellent Education is joining with the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD) and National Council of La Raza (NCLR) to host the release of NCLD’s new report Personalized Learning: Meeting the Needs of Students with Disabilities and discuss findings from NCLD’s and NCLR’s recent research on personalized learning. This report is based on a year-long process through which NCLD and NCLR engaged with leading education and disability experts and advisors including educators, school administrators, researchers, and advocates to explore best practices for including students with disabilities and English learners in personalized learning. Register for the May 4, 2016, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm webinar.

Now in its tenth year, the Nonprofit Excellence Awards, a program of the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York (NPCC), gives nonprofits the chance to learn best practices, improve their management practices, and be recognized for excellent management. Winning organizations will receive a total of $60,000 in cash awards and scholarships for Columbia Business School Executive Education Programs in Social Enterprise. Applications are due by 5:00 pm on May 20, 2016. NPCC will conduct a series of Application Clinics to give organizations a chance to ask questions and get more detailed information about the Awards program and application process.

Lumina Foundation released their annual report A Stronger Nation. For the seventh year, the report uses census data to track progress in degree-attainment rates on a national scale, in the country’s largest metropolitan areas, and in all 50 states. For the first time, the report also contains national data and state-specific estimates showing Americans’ attainment of high-quality post-secondary certificates. Visit the report website to download the full report, national summary report, a metro area map, and policy briefs for each of the 50 states.