 Dear reader,
Each new Covid wave and variant can make us feel stuck in an endless cycle of depression, anxiety, stress and grief. That’s why it’s important to spotlight ideas that could help students cope with their emotions, as our story about the packed but lonely day of a school social worker in an upstate New York district shows. It’s part of our continuing focus on dealing with mental health and trauma, which is so critical to learning and moving forward.
This week, we also look at two potential alternatives to four-year colleges: certificates and credentialing. I’ve listened to many experts tout the value and promise of quick workforce training, but it turns out that some certificate programs simply do not pay off. Many are at for-profit colleges that have a history of leaving students in debt, but nearly a quarter are at public colleges and universities, our story found. We also took a closer look at transfer schools, unpacking graduation rates at these small, alternative schools in New York City, the nation’s largest school district. How effective are they in creating paths for students that are falling behind? The answers aren’t simple, one reason why we carefully consider research in all of our reporting.
Of course, what we love most about our work at The Hechinger Report is the chance to visit classrooms and campuses and see what’s going on for ourselves. That’s one reason why I so enjoyed a recent visit to schools in San Diego, where I listened to students describing their personal characteristics and career goals, based on actual experiences they get – starting early. We wish we could get to more school visits, but it’s become challenging in the pandemic. That’s why we love when our readers send us story ideas and suggestions. Keep them coming!
Liz Willen, Editor
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