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, who appear less likely to be interested in going to college. At the same time, the number of students in job-focused degree programs is also dropping.
 
More concerns: our inability to enroll and train the many nurses we now need. Teachers are exhausted, our special education systems are strained and the lack of hands-on science instruction 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. 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.
 

Number of rural students planning on going to college plummets

Thousands of families in special education limbo

Activists question whether wealthy universities should be exempt from property taxes

‘They’re so weary’: Louisiana teachers recover from back-to-back hurricanes during the pandemic

PROOF POINTS: Number of students enrolled in job-focused degree programs dropping by double digits

When nurses are needed most, nursing programs aren’t keeping up with demand 

High schoolers report on what it’s like doing school in a pandemic

COLUMN: Teachers, cafeteria workers and school bus drivers should be next in line for the Covid vaccine