High School Counselor Week
Weekly stories, facts, trends, and other information from around the country
.May 14, 2026
A lifeline or ‘dystopian’?: Schools open parking lots for homeless students and families
The Hechinger Report – May 11, 2026
As family homelessness hits record highs, a few school districts are beginning to offer parking lots as safe sites for students and their families to sleep at night. Some families prefer the option over emergency shelters
High Schools Should Help the Class of 2026 Get Ready to Vote. Here’s How and Why
The 74 – May 11, 2026
When 18-year-olds are registered in big elections, they turn out nearly as much as adults. The problem isn’t apathy — it’s access. Many people are shocked to learn that the majority of U.S. teens can pre-register to vote as soon as they turn either 15, 16 or 17, depending on their state. This means that not only is pretty much every senior old enough to register before graduation — so are many juniors and even sophomores. Another little-known fact: 26 states have statutes already on the books requiring high schools to help students register to vote; sadly, few states implement those laws effectively. To help out, and prevent over-burdening teachers and staff further, here are state-specific online resources aimed at increasing youth participation.
Large shares of banned books feature people of color or are nonfiction, report says
K-12 Dive – May 11, 2026
44% featured characters or people of color, and over a quarter (29%) were nonfiction — while only 10% included “on the page” sexual experiences, according to an analysis released May 7 by PEN America. A report released last month by the American Library Association showed that 2025 broke the record for censorship at public, school and college libraries — yet less than 3% of book challenges in 2025 came from parents. Meanwhile, a full 92% were initiated by groups or government officials.
The Je Ne Sais Quoi of College AdmissionsPost – May 13, 2026
Counselors’ Corner with Patrick O’Connor, Ph.D.
Now is the time for juniors to ask for letters of recommendationPost – May 6, 2026
College Advice & Timely Tips with Lee Bierer
How to cope with a huge caseload
Times Higher Education – May 8, 2026
When I first started in this profession, I quickly realised that time alone is not the challenge – it is how effectively it is structured and aligned with student needs. A heavy caseload can often lead to feelings of being overwhelmed, especially when students present with urgent academic, emotional or career-related concerns. Without a clear system in place, it becomes easy to move from one case to another without consistent tracking of student progress or long-term planning. Over time, I learned that effective counselling depends on structured systems rather than reactive responses. And the first essential step is prioritisation.
Why a summer job may help students stand out in college admissions
FOX 2 KTVU – May 11, 2026
As families feel growing pressure to fill summers with internships and enrichment programs, college admissions expert Beth Heller Gelles says a traditional summer job may still be one of the most valuable experiences for students. Here’s how responsibility, follow-through and real-world experience can make an impact during the admissions process.
Can Senioritis Cost You a College Acceptance?
The Princeton Review – May 11, 2026
If you read your college acceptance letter carefully, you’ll notice that it’s a conditional offer. The letter likely includes a phrase such as “You have been accepted, contingent on successful completion of high school .” That means that the college is still watching you, and they expect you to maintain the accomplishments and achievements on which they based their acceptance. It’s not common to have your admission rescinded, but it can happen. Here’s how to finish your senior year strong.
Can You Reapply to a College After Being Rejected?
U.S. News & World Report – May 11, 2026
A prior rejection by itself typically doesn’t hurt a student’s chances when reapplying, since admissions committees evaluate each application on its own merits. But there are some important things you should consider:
How to plan a fulfilling gap year
Citrus County Chronicle (FL) – May 12, 2026
Many high school students tend to enjoy a few months of summer vacation after they graduate, and then embark on new adventures at college or trade school. Graduating college seniors follow a similar path of joining the workforce or beginning post-graduate work after earning their degrees. But such paths are not the only ones available to students. Some students may want to consider a gap year.
Pell Grant Eligibility Jumped 31% After FAFSA Simplification, GAO Finds
The College Investor – May 12, 2026
A new report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (PDF File) finds that the redesigned Free Application for Federal Student Aid is doing what Congress intended — pushing more students into the Pell Grant program and qualifying far more of them for the maximum award. Most of the new eligibility came from middle-income families, and the number of students with household incomes of $40,001–$80,000 qualifying for the maximum award more than doubled.
8 Financial Aid Tips for College Students
U.S. News & World Report – May 8, 2026
The process of figuring out how to pay for college can be daunting and time-consuming, so here are eight financial aid tips from experts. The top two? Pay attention to deadlines, and don’t fall for scholarship scams.
.Subscribe to our Weekly Emails
Colleges Still Accepting Applications
sponsored by Fastweb
200 Colleges Still Accepting Applications
College decision deadline has passed, but students still have options.
Nearly 1 in 3 Young Boys Report Suicidal Thoughts, New Data Shows—Here’s What Parents Should Know
Parents – May 12, 2026
In time for Mental Health Awareness Month, Crisis Text Line released its first report focused specifically on boys and men. It analyzed thousands of crisis conversations to determine what males are struggling with most along with what coping mechanisms they turn to. We’re breaking down the study and sharing expert advice on what parents can do to help their boys.
School cell phone bans may boost student well-being—but not test scores, new study suggests
Scientific American – May 6, 2026
Banning cell phones in schools has been touted as a silver bullet for poor test scores and low student well-being and attendance, but new research suggests the results are more mixed
Protect the Rights of Students with Disabilities
The Progressive Magazine – May 11, 2026
Once upon a time, a little-known agency within the U.S. Department of Education known as the Office of Special Education Programs was able to help students with disabilities whose access to schooling had been compromised. Agency officials would enforce the law and teach schools how to correct behaviors in an appropriate and supportive manner. But now that many of these officials have been fired, families are being left on their own to monitor rights violations of kids with disabilities, who comprise nearly 15 percent of all public education students. Having a law on the books that protects access to education by children with disabilities is not enough. It also must be enforced. The evidence is overwhelming that these protections need to be reinstated
Wealthy Students More Likely to Get Disability Accommodations, Study Finds
The 74 – May 11, 2026
Section 504 plans are one of the most important sources of disability services in schools. Why are well-off families their biggest beneficiaries?
