High School Counselor Week

Has Social Media Harmed Teens’ Mental Health?
Psychology Today – November 2, 2023
My conclusion—consistent with the conclusion of the great majority of behavioral scientists who have published research on this question—is that digital technology probably has some negative effects on young people’s well-being (and some positive effects), but the negative effects are too small and inconsistent to explain the sharp decline in mental well-being over this period. However, the lack of a meaningful overall effect does not mean there are no problems at all with social media for teens (the same applies to the rest of us).

Six Hidden (and Not-So-Hidden) Factors Driving America’s Student Absenteeism Crisis
The 74 – November 7, 2023
As schools continue to recover from the pandemic, there’s one troubling COVID symptom they can’t seem to shake: record-setting absenteeism. In the 2021-22 school year, more than one in four U.S. public school students missed at least 10% of school days. Before the pandemic, it was closer to one in seven. From higher-paying minimum wage jobs to missing teachers, students have a lot of reasons to skip school.

Ed Dept calls on schools to address ‘alarming rise’ in Islamophobic, antisemitic incidents
K-12 Dive – November 7, 2023
A spike in discrimination against Jewish, Muslim, Israeli and Palestinian American students, among others, has come amid the Israel-Hamas war.

College admissions officers reveal what bugs them most
Post – November 1, 2023
College Advice & Timely Tips with Lee Bierer

Collaborative Counseling: Professor Brings Academic, Mental Health Support to Rural Youth
Insight Into Diversity – November 6, 2023
Her own difficult journey navigating high school and college has inspired Dana Griffin, PhD, to focus her work on enhancing the experiences of underrepresented students. Raised by a single mother in a low-income household in rural Virginia, Griffin faced stereotypes and misconceptions from others — which ultimately created barriers to her education. As a first-generation college student, she faced difficulty in her initial pursuit of medical studies and was guided to obtain a degree in English instead. Discovering she had a passion for helping others, she pursued a master’s degree in counseling at Hampton University. These experiences influenced Griffin’s belief that K-12 counselors should be leaders in bridging the gap between historically marginalized families, schools, and communities by helping them build stronger relationships and collaborations. With this approach, the socioemotional development, mental health, academic success, and professional advancement of students is more fully supported.

How to support school communities in the wake of a mass tragedy
K-12 Dive – November 6, 2023
During a virtual K-12 School Safety Summit held by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency on Thursday, Michelle Kefford (principal of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School) and Lisa Wobbe-Veit (trauma and recovery consultant for Broward County Public Schools and a family liaison at Douglas) shared how they combined their expertises in school leadership and mental health to guide the recovery from the 2018 mass shooting at the school. They developed a model that other school leaders can adopt should they find themselves in the unfortunate wake of a mass school tragedy. School leaders looking to implement this approach should assemble a team that includes a mental health professional and a school leader or school business official. Overall, their model has three fundamental concepts: facilitating communication, providing psychological first-aid, and using a situational and holistic approach.

YouTube’s new teen safeguards limit repeated viewing of some video topics and more
TechCrunch – November 2, 2023
Two years after testifying before the U.S. Senate over child safety concerns, including teens’ exposure to eating disorder content, YouTube today announced additional product safeguards around its content recommendations aimed at teens. Specifically, the company said it would limit repeated recommendations of videos on topics that can trigger body image issues… Separately, it will also limit repeat viewing of videos that display ‘social aggression’ in the form of non-contact fights or intimidation.

5 Things Parents Should Know About Social Media’s Impact on Teens’ Mental Health
The 74 – November 5, 2023
A new Gallup survey finds that parents being more involved and restricting screen time has a positive impact on teenagers’ mental health.

Can I Apply to College After the Deadline?
U.S. News & World Report – November 2, 2023
Some colleges allow late admissions deadlines, some just a few weeks prior to a semester starting. Other colleges may not advertise it, but depending on class size and a student’s situation, some will still accept applications past their stated deadlines and well into the summer.

Common App expands direct admissions, including partnering with Connecticut
K-12 Dive – November 6, 2023
The online portal has started two programs, one with Connecticut institutions and a second with 70 other U.S. colleges.

This month, 200,000 high school seniors will get automatic college acceptance letters — before even applying
CNBC – November 2, 2023
The goal is to expand college access, particularly to first-generation and low-income applicants at a time when fewer are choosing to pursue a four-year degree. Roughly 1 in 8 first-year students with a Common App account will get at least one offer of admission before they even apply.

The FAFSA form is changing. Education groups want a release date.
Virginia Mercury – November 6, 2023
U.S. Dept. of Ed announced a December rollout for FAFSA, but no exact date.

10 Best Online Colleges That Offer Financial Aid
AZED News – November 8, 2023
For eligible students, a large number of online colleges offer financial aid to ensure your higher education journey goes smoothly.

Collaboration is the key to student success from school to college to career
EdSource – November 1, 2023
Could collaboration between TK-12 schools, colleges and industries improve educational equity and opportunity for the most high-needs learners? California is betting that the answer is yes and is backing that belief up with a $250 million investment in the Regional K-16 Education Collaboratives Grant Program.

College Promise Programs Add a ‘Higher Promise’ of Jobs Along with Scholarships
The 74 – November 8, 2023
Paying for college isn’t always enough to improve students’ lives, so promise programs now connect students to internships and apprenticeships too.