High School Counselor Week

Education Department doubles down on anti-DEI efforts
K-12 Dive – February 4, 2026
The U.S. Department of Education will continue to target diversity, equity and inclusion programs in schools despite a court block on its controversial anti-DEI Dear Colleague letter. The department walked back its appeal of one related court case last month, leaving education civil rights experts wondering about the implications. “The Department has full authority under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to target impermissible DEI initiatives that discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin,” said a press secretary for legal affairs.

New Education Department guidance allows teachers to pray with students
K-12 Dive – February 5, 2026
Public school teachers and other employees can take part in visible prayer with students during the school day, such as saying grace together before lunch, according to new guidance issued Thursday by the U.S. Department of Education. “[V]isible, personal prayer, even if there is voluntary student participation…does not itself constitute coercion,” the department stated. They clarify however that teachers may not instruct or pressure students to pray, or show favoritism to those who do. It also clarifies that teachers and other school officials should not deliver prayers “on behalf of the school or in contexts that students cannot opt out of.”

When a Natural Disaster Strikes, Educators Respond
NEA TODAY – February 5, 2026
Even as FEMA support falters, public schools and educators provide essential services during and after disasters.

The Profession Needs Your Help
Post – February 11, 2026
Counselors’ Corner with Patrick O’Connor, Ph.D.

Making the most of a College Fair
Post – February 10, 2026
College Advice & Timely Tips with Lee Bierer

Privacy and parenting collide, Florida debates teen mental health care
Florida Today – February 5, 2026
For teenagers, mental health care often lies in a gray space between privacy and protection. When they know their conversations will remain confidential, many adolescents are more willing to speak honestly about anxiety, depression or substance use. But at the same time, the involvement of a safe, supportive family can play a critical role in long-term recovery. That balance is now at the center of a growing debate in Florida, where lawmakers are considering changes that could reshape how and when minors access mental health, sexual health and substance-use treatment.

How to advocate for your students
Times Higher Education – February 9, 2026
When I first started working as a college counsellor, advocacy was an unfamiliar term. I had heard of it in the context of law and social activism but less in the realm of counselling. I wondered why and how counsellors could advocate for students. Three years later, I understand better what this action means and why it’s so integral to our role. It may or may not be strictly in our job description but what we do on a daily basis is advocate for students. But why is advocacy something college counsellors need to do?

The Pros and Cons of Online College
U.S. News & World Report – February 5, 2026
What had seemed like a major imposition six years ago during COVID is now woven into the fabric of college. As your child embarks on their own higher education journey, it’s worth asking what the virtual options are. Even if they prefer the traditional in-person experience, options such as prerecorded lectures mean there’s no need to borrow someone’s notes if you’re out sick for a day.

Schools Need to Adopt Clear Rules for AI Use. Parents Can Help Make That Happen
The 74 – February 10, 2026
It has been over three years since ChatGPT launched, bringing artificial intelligence to the masses for the first time. Today, AI is reshaping schools, workplaces and entire industries. Yet only 40 school districts in 17 states — approximately 0.30% — have district-level AI guidance. This lack of guidance creates two dangerous extremes: students who fear AI because it’s been branded as cheating, and those who misuse it as a shortcut because they’ve never been taught otherwise.

Choosing a Major in College: What to Know
U.S. News & World Report – February 5, 2026
The college major you choose can shape your career path, paycheck and day-to-day work, so it’s important to balance what you enjoy with realistic career goals and the job market. Figure out what interests you most by participating in high school extracurriculars, and consider the overall return on investment for a potential field of study. Teachers, counselors and family can provide insight into different majors and careers.

College Applications: Top Tips for Right Now
U.S. News & World Report – February 5, 2026
Sophomore year is the right time to start learning from experience, beginning with exploration. Juniors should be careful not to narrow their college search in the wrong way, and pay attention to balance. And for many seniors, this is a moment to step back and focus on fit for making a final decision in the spring. Jeff Selingo offers suggestions and questions for students to consider throughout their high school years.

Getting in is getting easier
The Hechinger Report – February 11, 2026
Think getting into college is all but impossible? Think again. Sure, the most selective institutions still take only a tiny fraction of the people who apply to them. But at almost all the rest, the odds of getting in are good — and getting better.

The FAFSA Changed My Life. Requiring Students to Complete It Could Transform Thousands More
EdTrust – February 4, 2026
For students from low-income backgrounds, going to college can seem like an impossible dream. But the key to making that dream a reality often lies in completing a single form

Does Financial Aid Cover the Cost of Travel?
U.S. News & World Report – February 5, 2026
While travel to and from school can pose a significant financial burden, it’s rare to see a school cover this cost with scholarships or gifted aid. However, there are exceptions.

Funding cuts, shifts in aid could make college harder to afford for low-income families
The Hechinger Report – February 9, 2026
At a time of rising income inequality, several developments are converging to make things even harder for lower-income Americans who want to go to and get through college — a group that already faces considerable challenges, and whose proportion of enrollment has been falling for a decade and a half.