 Dear reader,
In the uncertain times following a year of pandemic isolation, concerns about who will fill U.S. jobs of the future are growing. Tech leaders and entrepreneurs are pushing for more education in American high schools in computer science, a subject fewer than half of them teach. At the same time, employees are struggling to take advantage of tuition benefit reimbursement programs, by which companies help pay college tuition costs.
And just how early should job training start? I visited a high school that simultaneously prepares students from historically underserved backgrounds for industry jobs and college (they graduate with an associate degree) and found growing enthusiasm for a network known as P-TECH. This week, we also report on how colleges are fighting attempts to stop them from withholding student transcripts over unpaid bills – in some cases as little as $25.
Finally, the pandemic hit some of our littlest learners so hard that their parents are calling for a kindergarten do-over, while others found new hope and inspiration from outdoor learning. What other stories should we be telling as the school year comes to a close and we think about what has been lost – and what’s ahead? As always, we love to hear from our readers.
Liz Willen, Editor
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 Main Idea |
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As a dysfunctional immigration system, anti-Asian bias and political uncertainty dim Silicon Valley’s glow, tech pushes for educating more American kids in science.
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Reading List
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While U.S. employers often tout benefits that promise to subsidize a college education, most workers can’t tap them. That may be changing.
But a push to change that is catching on.
Ten years on, a network of early college high schools offers industry training, two degrees and a pathway to the middle class. Despite early stumbles, it is thriving.
Even the loss of an entire school year may not be grounds for holding kids back a grade, according to some early childhood experts.
Lessons from outdoor learning, a game-changer we hope is here to stay.
A museum’s virtual science program, in which kids interact with digitized collections and real scientists, took off during the pandemic.
A leading researcher offers other ideas for evaluating student learning post-pandemic.
What a Philly ship-building apprenticeship program teaches us about decreasing the opportunity gap through public investment.
Federal regulations provide exemptions for studying “normal” instructional practices.
Some face additional fees, penalties, and ruined credit ratings, even when they try to pay.
Lobbyists are pushing back on legislation to restrict a practice leaving millions in limbo.
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Solutions
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"Learning pods are now helping vulnerable students. Will the trend survive the pandemic?" Chalkbeat
This week’s solutions section came from SolutionsU powered by Solutions Journalism Network and their database of solutions journalism. Search for more solutions.
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👋 Contact Nichole Dobo at [email protected] to give feedback on The Hechinger Report’s newsletters. Did you know we produce newsletters on early childhood, education research, the future of learning and higher education? And it helps us if you recommend our newsletters to a friend.
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