High School Counselor Week
Weekly stories, facts, trends, and other information from around the country
December 5, 2024
National college completion rate ticks up to 61.1%
Higher Ed Dive – December 4, 2024
Completion rates ticked up to 61.1% for students who entered college in fall 2018, a 0.5 percentage-point increase compared to the previous cohort, according to data released Wednesday by the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. While the clearinghouse’s early data also found a concerning drop among 18-year-old first-year students, the new completion data nonetheless suggests some positive momentum for the sector.
School Closures Are Way Down, but Delaying These Hard Choices Makes Things Worse
The 74 – December 2, 2024
Over the last decade, districts have closed fewer and fewer schools. As of 2021-22, the most recent year for which national data is available, districts closed 666 schools — the lowest number in more than 20 years. In many cases, closing neighborhood schools is disruptive for students and communities, and deciding which to shutter tears neighborhoods apart. So the decline in shutdowns might seem like a positive trend. If school closures are bad for students, it’s a good thing that fewer kids are displaced, right? Not necesarily, as falling student headcounts suggest districts may have simply delayed the inevitable.
What Happens if the Education Department Is Dissolved?
U.S. News & World Report – November 27, 2024
The U.S. Department of Education has been under heightened scrutiny over the past few years, and is once again on the chopping block as former President Donald Trump has proposed dissolving the Education Department. On Nov. 21, Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota introduced a seven-page bill that would abolish the department, shift more authority to state and local control, and transfer critical programs to existing federal agencies. Here’s what eliminating the Education Department might mean for K-12 and higher education.
FAFSA 101 – Top 10 to-dos for financial aidPost – December 3, 2024
College Advice & Timely Tips with Lee Bierer
I Offer Free Online Therapy to Teens. Here’s What I’m Seeing — and Why it Matters
The 74 – November 30, 2024
Before the pandemic, the idea of communicating with a therapist via text seemed unthinkable. Then COVID closures and an unprecedented surge in teen mental health issues changed everything. As a therapist who works for NYC Teenspace, New York City’s free mental health service connecting young people with licensed multilingual therapists, I know what a difference teletherapy makes for teens. No matter what their language, teens tend to find on-demand messaging a more comfortable, accessible option in which to open up about their challenges in ways they might find difficult in real life. Moreover, they express themselves in ways an adult patient typically wouldn’t. They share photos of their pets, selfies, memes, audio clips — and, yes, lots of emojis — offering glimpses into their world that enrich the therapeutic process.
Values Over Rankings: There’s Life Beyond the Top 25 Lists
LINK for Counselors – November 22, 2024
We hear this response almost daily in our offices when we ask students why they’ve chosen to apply to specific colleges. The silence that follows our next question – ‘What makes it good?’ – speaks volumes about the crisis we face in college admissions today. Research reveals that only 4% of U.S. students attend colleges accepting less than 25% of applicants. Yet this tiny fraction of institutions drives an outsized portion of our students’ anxiety and shapes their entire perception of success. Too often, the media only talks about these highly rejective schools, and because of this, student mental health suffers. This is why we decided to transform our college counseling approach. We were tired of seeing students hang their self-worth on acceptance rates, families fracture under pressure, and teenagers overlook fantastic institutions simply because they weren’t ‘prestigious’ enough.
Must-Have Conflict Resolution Skills for Teens
Parents – December 2, 2024
The teenage years are marked by intense changes—physical, social, emotional, and developmental—that can feel overwhelming at times. With so much going on, it’s no surprise conflicts often arise with family, friends, and even within themselves. While it’s natural for your teens to experience big emotions, there are ways you can support them in coping and resolving conflicts productively. Here’s how to help them find balance.
5 FAFSA Tips Every Parent Needs to Know Before They Fill It Out
College Aid Pro – November 30, 2024
If you’re anything like me, the thought of filling out the FAFSA might make you groan. The form seems intimidating at first glance, with its government lingo and endless requests for information. I’ve been there, fumbling through instructions, worrying about making a mistake, and learning from other parents and experts along the way. But let me assure you, with the right preparation and guidance, you can get through this—and even feel confident about it. I’ve picked up some tips that can make the process smoother and less stressful for families. Here’s what you need to know.
‘Easy to just write us off’: Rural students’ choices shrink as colleges slash majors
The Hechinger Report – November 26, 2024
Frustration is mounting amongst rural Americans, who already have far less access to higher education than their counterparts in cities and suburbs. Now the comparatively few universities that serve rural students are eliminating large numbers of programs and majors, blaming plummeting enrollment and financial crises. Many rural private, nonprofit colleges are closing altogether. Much of the frustration stems from the fact that for rural students living in higher education ‘deserts,’ there are few other places to go, making the idea of choice a fiction in many aspects.
Should students choose extracurricular activities with university applications in mind?
Times Higher Education – December 2, 2024
High-school counsellors often face the question from students and parents: ‘Should extracurricular activities be chosen with college applications in mind, or should students just pursue activities they enjoy?’ While it might seem like a simple choice between strategy and passion, the answer lies somewhere in the middle. Both aspects matter, and students can in fact attain a balance between doing what they love and boosting their future university applications.
Why colleges are turning to institutional neutrality
Higher Ed Dive – December 3, 2024
At least two dozen institutions have adopted some type of institutional neutrality policy in recent years, although they differ on specifics. These moves can help stave off political controversy for institutions, experts say. But they may require careful conversations about a college’s mission and goals, as well as what exactly the policy will look like.
How equitable is funding for public colleges?
Higher Ed Dive – December 4, 2024
State and federal funding for public colleges can lead to inequities, with the highest levels of funding going toward institutions with the lowest proportion of students of color, according to a November study from the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association. Moreover, the study found that large proportions of students of color and students who qualify for Pell Grants are concentrated in a smaller share of institutions.
Not Sure You Should File A FAFSA? Here Are 5 Reasons You Should
Forbes – November 27, 2024
The 2025-2026 FAFSA is officially open, and so far, it looks like things are running smoother than last year, when there were significant delays and problems. But does it make sense for you to file a FAFSA this year? For students and families considering whether to submit one, here are five reasons you should.
University of Texas, MIT and others announce free tuition for some undergraduates
NPR – November 22, 2024
Nearly half a dozen institutions of higher education separately announced plans this week to make tuition free for undergraduates who meet certain income requirements, reflecting a growing nationwide effort to make college more affordable. The schools span states from Massachusetts to New Mexico, and include some of the country’s leading universities.And while the specific financial requirements for current students applicants vary between schools, all are slated to take effect in fall 2025.
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College Admission Explained
Emory University Admissions – November 18, 2024
The admissions process can seem complicated, unfair, and random, especially when students with exceptionally high grades receive rejection letters from their top-choice universities. But trust us, there is a reasoning behind the process. Admission decisions are not at all reflective of one’s worth. It’s about working within the parameters of that particular year, not about the ultimate merit of a candidate. The ‘most qualified’ candidate is not always the ‘right’ candidate. These are among several important things to keep in mind when applying to colleges.
Is College Admission Clear-Cut?
Georgia Tech Admission Blog – December 2, 2024
The idea that the college admission process is clear-cut absolutely needs to be addressed. There is no clear-cut consensus amongst an admission team when it comes to every single admission decision that is made. Nor is there always a clear distinction between those who have been admitted and those who have not. In reality, selections at colleges with a competitive admission process are much more gray area than that. If you don’t receive the decision you’re hoping for, don’t interpret that as meaning you aren’t good enough. It means that based on the tiny sliver of a total person that we get to see in the application process, and bearing the enrollment constraints of our campus, we were not able to offer you admission.
Conflict over race, LGBTQ issues cost schools more than $3 billion last school year
EdSource – December 4, 2024
Conflicts between parents, teachers and school leaders over parental rights policies focusing on LGBTQ+ students, limitations on teaching about race and racism, and book bans have come with a cost — both socially and financially. In a nationwide study, two-thirds of the school superintendents surveyed said they have experienced moderate to high levels of culturally divisive conflict in their districts, including misinformation campaigns, violent rhetoric and threats. In addition to disrupting schools and classrooms, the conflicts are reportedly costing districts lots of general fund dollars that could be used to better serve students.
FTC: AI ‘Weapons Detection’ Co. Evolv Misled Schools About its Safety Abilities
The 74 – November 26, 2024
The Federal Trade Commission has accused a company that makes AI-powered security screening systems for some 800 schools across 40 states of promoting false claims about its ability to detect weapons and keep kids safe. Evolv Technology, which sells AI-powered ‘weapons detection’ systems to schools and other businesses, made deceptive claims to customers about its ability to detect all weapons accurately and efficiently, the commission alleged in a complaint filed Tuesday in federal court.
Career education gets a boost with College Board pilot program
K-12 Dive – November 20, 2024
College Board is expanding into career and technical education with courses that allow high school students nationwide to take career-oriented AP-equivalent courses. The Career Kickstart program plans to launch multiple pathways across several career clusters — including informational technology, health science and business — over time, with a focus on pathways that ‘prepare students for high-demand, high-wage jobs that don’t require a bachelor’s degree.’
High school students report challenges in accessing skilled trades training
K-12 Dive – November 25, 2024
Nearly 70% of high schoolers enrolled in skilled trades programs say they’re committed to their future trade career, but they also faced challenges when trying to access critical training. Meeting future Gen Z workers where they’re at may be critical for talent attraction and retention, researchers found. About a third of students said they’d leave the skilled trades if the industry doesn’t meet their expectations, citing critical needs such as work-life balance and a clear path to advancement.