Illinois switching from ACT, will give students SAT instead
Belleville News-Democrat  - Dec 21, 2015
The state of Illinois will stop giving the ACT college entrance exam and instead has contracted to give high school juniors the rival SAT, according to state records....
Half of Illinois grads entering community college need help
Chcago Tribune  - Dec 20, 2015
New data show about half of Illinois high school graduates going on to the state's community colleges need remediation in at least one subject....
Playing the Aid Game
Chcago Tribune  - Dec 18, 2015
Historically, U of Wisconsin at Madison has minimized the use of non-need-based aid, but it is ending that restraint. The catch? Its top official doesn't really agree with the practice....
No FAFSA, No Diploma in Louisiana
US News  - Dec 19, 2015
In order to graduate from high school in Louisiana, students will soon be required to apply for federal financial aid for college. The state's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved the new graduation prerequisite earlier this month, and the new policy will go into effect beginning with the class of 2018....
The ‘worst and dumbest’ education program of the year could get even worse
Washington Post  - Dec 21, 2015
There are a lot of bad ideas in education — really awful. But back in July, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune ran an editorial about a new one-year program in Florida under the headline “Worst and dumbest,” and it’s hard to argue with it. Unfortunately, it could soon get even worse....
Amid STEM focus, some clamor for more vocational training
Gainesville Sun  - Dec 19, 2015
The improving job market offers opportunity for students who excel in math and technical skills, but employers in Alachua County say there are good jobs waiting for students who can work with their hands as well as with their minds.....
Wyoming high-schoolers must keep taking college prep exam
SFGate - Dec 19, 2015
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming lawmakers decided that 11th-graders must take the ACT college preparation exam for now, despite a recommendation to offer an alternative test that measures the ability of students to enter the workforce.....
How to afford community college in California
ABC-10 - Dec 22, 2015
You may have heard President Barack Obama's "College Promise" proposal, which would provide students with two years worth of free community college. California Community College (CCC) officials support Obama's plan and others like it. In fact, there are similar programs already in place they say make California one of the most affordable states in the country when it comes to higher education.....
Cal State Schools Get Record Number Of Applications For 2016 Term
ABC-10 - Dec 20, 2015
LONG BEACH (AP) — Schools in the California State University systemreceived a record number of applications for the upcoming 2016 fall term, with more than 830,000 prospective students vying for a spot....