High School Counselor Week
Weekly stories, facts, trends, and other information from around the country
.February 19, 2026
‘Stage Is Shifting Rapidly’ for High Schools: Are States Helping Them Keep Up?
The 74 – February 18, 2026
The rise of artificial intelligence and other technology has traditional high schools scrambling to keep up — with states doing an uneven job of encouraging schools to embed critical thinking skills, and offer students access to internships and college courses, according to a new report.
NEA Files Emergency Motion to Stop ICE Enforcement Near Schools
NEA TODAY – February 13, 2026
For more than 30 years, federal policies around immigration enforcement in the United States respected “sensitive locations,” such as houses of worship, schools and colleges, healthcare clinics, social services and community-based organizations. In other words, these places were safe havens for children and families, free of the violence and trauma of immigration raids and arrests. Last year, NEA joined a lawsuit asking a federal court to restore these protections; this week’s emergency motion demands immediate relief.
After affirmative action: Four takeaways — and puzzles — from college admissions data
The Hechinger Report – February 12, 2026
Everyone expected the end of affirmative action to reduce Black and Hispanic enrollment at top colleges. That’s not exactly how it worked out.
Administrative Support Lacking? Give Them This QuizPost – February 17, 2026
Counselors’ Corner with Patrick O’Connor, Ph.D.
Making the most of a College FairPost – February 10, 2026
College Advice & Timely Tips with Lee Bierer
Help! My role keeps expanding
Times Higher Education – February 16, 2026
One of the most significant challenges facing the school counselling profession today is role expansion. Counsellors are no longer responsible solely for academic guidance or university preparation. Instead, they are increasingly expected to address student well-being, safeguarding, and identity development, often simultaneously. Although this expansion reflects the growing recognition of the counsellor’s value in schools, it also presents a serious risk: professional burnout. This resource focuses on how counsellors can respond to this challenge by applying best-fit principles, maintaining professional boundaries and engaging in reflective practice.
Can AI Help Students Navigate the Career Chaos It’s Creating?
EdSurge – February 12, 2026
Navigating major shifts in planning for post-secondary education and starting a career requires both educators and young people to think flexibly, according to experts. Students need honest guidance, and adults should be transparent about the reality that they don’t have all the answers. But new AI tools don’t have all the answers either, not even those purpose-built to offer career guidance. At least, some human counselors don’t think so.
Parents are opting kids out of school laptops, returning them to pen and paper
NBC News – February 16, 2026
Parents across the country are taking steps to stop their children from using school-issued Chromebooks and iPads, citing concerns about distractions and access to inappropriate content that they fear hampers their kids’ education. The parents opting out point to research showing that students who used computers at school performed worse academically and that information is better retained when read on paper. And education experts say there’s a significant difference between educating students about technology and completely relying on educational technology.
28 Great Jobs for Teens That Teach Real-World Skills
Parents – February 15, 2026
Most teenagers, depending on skill level, can work basic jobs that still allow them plenty of time to focus on school—as long as their job doesn’t interfere with their grades and still lets them maintain a healthy social life. A few hours after school, on the weekends, or full-time over the summer, can help your teenager develop work ethic, and feel better about themselves and their accomplishments. This list will get you started as you consider what job your teen might want to work.
Seniors Still Have a Long To-Do List
U.S. News & World Report – February 12, 2026
This week, many high school seniors who applied early decision II are hearing whether they were admitted, deferred to the regular pool or rejected. For the lucky ones, the admissions journey has a happy ending. For the rest, it’s another few months of waiting – or the end of this particular application. But whether or not your child knows yet where they’re going, there’s still a lot left on the to-do list.
The Fight Over Community College Bachelor’s Degrees
Inside Higher Ed – February 10, 2026
Earning a four-year degree at a two-year institution is now possible in nearly half of all states—and others are exploring the option. But many universities are not happy about it.
Top 20 Best Places to Study Abroad for U.S. Students
U.S. News & World Report – February 9, 2026
The number of U.S. students studying abroad in college has nearly rebounded to the level it had reached before world travel was significantly restricted due to COVID-19. Here’s a look at the top 20 study abroad destinations for U.S. students.
Commentary: Many States Are Shortchanging the Students Most In Need of Aid—Including Students at HBCUs
The Century Foundation – February 18, 2026
New research by The Century Foundation highlights a hundred-billion-dollar problem with how state financial aid is distributed: in many states, state financial aid is not effectively directed toward the students who need it most. In fact, state aid lags behind Pell Grants when it comes to effectiveness in reducing college costs for low-income students. TCF’s analysis shows that, in some states, a high share of state grant dollars go to students without financial need rather than to low-income students.
Five-Step Practical Guide To Paying Your College Bill
The College Investor – February 16, 2026
Make sure you fully understand your college bill, including tuition, fees, housing, meal plans, and applied aid to know exactly what’s owed and when. Confirm that grants, scholarships, and loans are applied correctly, and identify any discrepancies early. We cover some examples that will help you make sense of an often confusing process.
‘We’re now seeing the results’: Education Department officials tout FAFSA progress
Higher Ed Dive – February 11, 2026
Satisfaction is up and wait times are short, an agency official told the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ legislative conference.
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Lawsuits Test New Legal Theories About What Causes Social Media Addiction
EdSurge – February 17, 2026
Legal experts say that what sets this new wave of litigation apart from past lawsuits is that plaintiffs are accusing social media platforms of purposefully designing “addictive” platforms. They’re claiming that it’s the design of social media platforms — not the content — that is leading to harm. That means cases will hinge on the plaintiffs’ ability to prove that social media companies had a duty to warn them about the pitfalls of using social media, failed in that duty, and caused harm as a result — invoking the need for consumer protection rather than raising issues with content.
New Report Card Grades States on Laws Banning Phones in Schools
EdSurge – February 6, 2026
As more legislation sweeps the nation limiting children’s phone use in schools, a new report card shows not all laws are created equal. Only two states in the nation received “A” marks, with most states lacking explicit rules, according to experts.
The greening of career education: Students learn new skills they’ll need as climate change advances
The Hechinger Report – February 15, 2026
Some school districts are adding programs in clean energy and sustainability, while one state is infusing environmental lessons into culinary education, construction and nearly every pathway. The trend comes as industries embrace emerging technology in an effort to remain globally competitive, adjust to environmental changes and reduce costs, state and school leaders said. Even jobs that historically have not been considered environmental careers are adapting to changing industry demands.
The false promise of a tech job.
NPR – February 11, 2026
Learn to code, they said! And then the layoffs started happening… The tech industry is hemorrhaging jobs. So if a cushy position in tech isn’t a “good” job anymore… what is? (Podcast; transcript provided)
Opinion: The argument for bringing back vocational schools
Seattle Times – February 9, 2026
There is a severe shortage of workers in just about every residential construction trade. Here’s another reality: Over 70% of the U.S. population hires people in the trades to perform construction and maintenance tasks on their homes. A shortage of workers leads to higher labor costs and often longer wait times for quality work. It’s time to bang the gong and let young students and young adults know that a lifelong vocation as a plumber, electrician, carpenter, painter, etc., is both fulfilling and respectable.
Are AP Scores Still Worth College Credit in 2026?
Rocky Mountain Collegian – February 17, 2026
For years, Advanced Placement courses carried a clear promise: work hard in high school, score well on the exam, and save time and money in college. That promise hasn’t disappeared, but it has become more complicated. The short answer is yes, AP scores can still matter. The longer answer depends on where you’re going, what you’re studying, and how you plan your first year. Let’s unpack what’s actually changing and what hasn’t.