The number of rural students filling out the federal application for financial aid has plummeted by more than 18 percent.

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Dear reader,Liz Willen

There are some worrisome pandemic education trends on the horizon as we approach a most unusual New Year. One is the disillusionment of rural students ([link removed]) , who appear less likely to be interested in going to college. At the same time, the number of students injob-focused degree programs ([link removed]) is also dropping.

More concerns: our inability to enroll and train ([link removed]) the many nurses we now need. Teachers are exhausted, ([link removed]) our special education systems ([link removed]) are strained and the lack of hands-on science instruction ([link removed]) threatens the future of STEM education, particularly for students of color.

Some hope is on the way. Vaccines are coming, and some believe teachers and other school staff should be next in line to receive them. ([link removed]) Here at The Hechinger Report, we are already thinking about potential solutions to report on in 2021. We’d love to hear from you about what you’re seeing in your communities. Happy holidays to all – and may 2021 be a better year.

Liz Willen, Editor

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Main Idea


** Number of rural students planning on going to college plummets ([link removed])
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Trend threatens rural economies, widens their drift from cities and suburbs.
Reading List


** Thousands of families in special education limbo ([link removed])
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When the pandemic hit, some school districts paused special education evaluations. Now thousands of students may be going without critical services.



** Activists question whether wealthy universities should be exempt from property taxes ([link removed])
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Changing its position, the University of Pennsylvania will donate $100 million in payments in lieu of taxes to help Philadelphia public schools.



** ‘They’re so weary’: Louisiana teachers recover from back-to-back hurricanes during the pandemic ([link removed])
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[link removed] students and teachers balancing storm recovery and a mix of in-person and virtual classes need support, but most schools lack funding or capacity for mental health services.



** PROOF POINTS: Number of students enrolled in job-focused degree programs dropping by double digits ([link removed])
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The decline could signal significantly lower future productivity, researchers say.


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When nurses are needed most, nursing programs aren’t keeping up with demand ([link removed])
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Parts of the country will face severe shortages by 2030, and Covid-19 is making things worse.



** High schoolers report on what it’s like doing school in a pandemic ([link removed])
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A podcast series by high school students explores the impact of the pandemic on their peers.



** COLUMN: Teachers, cafeteria workers and school bus drivers should be next in line for the Covid vaccine ([link removed])
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Getting schools reopened will be better for student learning and development, good for parents’ sanity and great for business.
Solutions
"A simple fix: Kindergarten at night ([link removed]) ," The New York Times
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