 Dear reader,
Two topics in education merit greater attention, and both are signature issues for The Hechinger Report. One is historically Black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, which are defying trends by reporting enrollment gains despite the pandemic. Our Christina Samuels takes a deep look at what happened after Delaware State acquired 50 acres of land and 21 buildings of Wesley College last July, and what it means for these often-underfunded institutions.
Another signature issue for us is early childhood education, a topic far more complicated than many of us realize. For example, watching children play can be absolutely fascinating, but when you combine play with learning goals, the results are truly worth paying attention to – especially at a time when fears of pandemic-related learning loss are mounting. Take some time with this important story about the value of guided play, based on a number of findings with implications for how we teach early learning skills.
As always, we also have our eye on other recent trends in higher education, including a look at the pressure faculty members are under to prove their value while facing many competing demands and new scrutiny of what and how they teach. It’s one reason they are fighting back and turning toward union representation, as our story explains. We also drill down on the confusing and often confounding topic of college costs with fresh thinking that may challenge long-held assumptions. Another reminder: We love hearing from our readers, so please get in touch and let us know what’s on your mind. And do spread the word to all who are interested in education: Sign up for our newsletters and never miss a story.
Liz Willen, Editor
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