High School Counselor Week

Trump administration can enforce anti-DEI orders, appeals court rules
Higher Ed Dive – March 17, 2025
A federal appeals court ruled Friday that the Trump administration can carry out executive orders for now that target diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at higher education institutions and elsewhere. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ unanimous decision lifts a lower court’s preliminary injunction that had blocked major portions of two of President Donald Trump’s directives against diversity programs.

Find Out How Much Federal Education Aid Your State Could Lose
EdTrust – March 13, 2025
If the Trump administration follows through with cuts to federal funding to the Department of Education, states could lose significant dollars. This map shows the estimated 2025 state budget, how much money would be lost based on percent reduction, and the estimated new budget. Using the tool, you can select a funding theme, change the budget reduction with the slider, and hover for additional information.

Schools are surveilling kids to prevent gun violence or suicide. The lack of privacy comes at a cost
The Hechinger Report – March 12, 2025
Vancouver Public Schools and many other districts around the country have turned to technology to monitor school-issued devices 24/7 for any signs of danger as they grapple with a student mental health crisis and the threat of shootings. The goal is to keep children safe, but these tools raise serious questions about privacy and security – as proven when Seattle Times and Associated Press reporters inadvertently received access to almost 3,500 sensitive, unredacted student documents through a records request about the district’s surveillance technology. The released documents show students use these laptops for more than just schoolwork; they are coping with angst in their personal lives.

How to combat parents’ obsession with grades over skills
Times Higher Eduation – March 17, 2025
Parents often value high academic grades over interpersonal and soft skills – but this no longer reflects universities’ priorities or the reality of the job market. Schools and, more importantly, school counsellors can address this issue by guiding parents and students towards a more balanced approach to education, university selection and career planning. For example, by maintaining connections with universities and industries, counsellors can provide students and parents with accurate information about admissions criteria, skill requirements and alternative pathways to success beyond grades. But they can also organise workshops and seminars to educate parents about the evolving job market, or advocate for internships and project-based learning to foster skill development. All these possibilities, and others mentioned here, contribute significantly to university admissions and career readiness, as well as student well-being.

Why many in Gen Z are ditching college for training in skilled trades
PBS News Weekend – March 15, 2025
As the average cost of college in the United States soars, more young people are being drawn to skilled trades. It’s part of a career rethink among members of Gen Z, who have been called the “toolbelt generation.” Special correspondent Christopher Booker reports.

Here are 4 ways parents can help their teens be smart with screen time
NPR – March 17, 2025
Managing screen time is an issue that defines modern parenthood. Teenagers — who often don’t want to be managed in any way — present an extra set of challenges. Many parents know that too much screen time is harmful for teenagers and they don’t want their kids encountering unhealthy or dangerous content. But figuring out exactly how to provide guardrails to prevent these behaviors is hard. Here are some things to consider.

Pandemic Hurt Children’s Social Skills, Mental Health Most
Gallup – March 13, 2025
Looking back on the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on their school-age children, U.S. parents are more likely to report negative social and emotional issues than academic or physical health troubles. More than four in 10 parents of K-12 students say their child’s social skills development and mental health were negatively impacted by the pandemic, and more than two in 10 say the negative effects on these children’s social and emotional development continue today. Fewer parents report adverse impacts on their child’s academics — including math, reading and science — or their physical health.

College Application Stress: A Guide To Finding Your Best-Fit Schools
Forbes – March 15, 2025
Recent research shows the college application process has become a major source of stress for high school students. Over half rank applications as their most stressful academic experience, and nearly one in eight abandon their college plans due to application anxiety. Many students fixate on getting into a single “dream school,” creating unnecessary pressure. A more effective approach focuses on finding multiple “best-fit” institutions where students can thrive academically, socially, and financially.

As enrollment in online college grows, students wonder: Why does it cost more?
NPR – March 15, 2025
Emma Bittner considered getting a master’s degree in public health at a university near her home in Austin, Texas. But the in-person program cost tens of thousands of dollars more than she had hoped to spend. So she checked out master’s degrees she could pursue remotely, on her laptop, which she was sure would be much cheaper. The price for the same degree online was … just as much. “Why does it cost that much if I don’t get meetings face-to-face with the professor or have the experience in person?” said Bittner, 25. Among the surprising answers is that colleges and universities are using online higher education to subsidize everything else they do, a survey of the people who manage these programs finds. And some schools are spending significant amounts on marketing and advertising for it.

College Application Surge: Underrepresented Students Lead Growth in 2024-25 Admissions Cycle
Diverse – March 13, 2025
According to Common App’s latest “Deadline Update” report released Thursday, college applications for the 2024-25 admissions cycle continue to show strong growth, particularly among underrepresented and first-generation students. The report, which analyzes application data through March 1, 2025, reveals that 1,390,256 distinct first-year applicants submitted a total of 8,535,903 applications to 863 returning Common App member institutions—marking a 4% increase in applicants and a 6% increase in total applications compared to the same period last year.

Here’s how to maximize your college financial aid offer — experts break it down
CNBC – March 17, 2025
Most college acceptance and financial aid letters go out in March. For many students and their families, the aid package is arguably more significant than an acceptance notification. And yet, “the system lacks transparency, especially around the true cost of attendance, making it very difficult for families to comparison shop and make informed financing decisions about their education,” says Rick Castellano, a spokesperson for Sallie Mae. Here are some tips for identifying the full scope of financial aid offers and maximizing gift aid — money that doesn’t need to be paid back.

How To Find The Net Price Of College And What You’ll Pay
The College Investor – March 15, 2025
It can be tough to find the net price of college and understand what you’ll actually pay after scholarships, grants, and other financial aid. College costs are confusing, often due to a lack of clear and complete information. Understanding the true cost of college is necessary to evaluate and compare financial aid award letters. When comparing college costs, there are three terms that enrolling students should become familiar with:

What To Do If Your Financial Aid Appeal Is Denied
The College Investor – March 13, 2025
Did you appeal your financial aid award and then get denied? It’s a tough scenario that many families find themselves in. Financial aid can provide students with access to educational options they may not have otherwise had. But sometimes, students are denied additional financial aid, even after making an appeal. If you appealed for financial aid, but your appeal was denied, you still have a few options. In this article, we’ll let you know what steps you can take to try and secure more financial aid. We’ll also provide you with some alternative places to look for money.