NACAC CEO Joyce Smith sent the following message to members last week:
Dear Colleagues,
I have seen a number of accounts about anxiety in our schools, colleges, and communities following the election, and I’ve heard from many of you who are asking about NACAC’s response.
As the dust settles from one of the most contentious presidential races in our history, concerns have emerged about the future of programs and initiatives that promote equal access to higher education, as well as the safety and security of the students we serve.
Author note: This piece was written in the days before the Presidential election. The issues discussed here are only more pressing as a wave of bias incidents occur on our campuses and impact our diverse communities.
Can I speak to my white colleagues for a moment? Over the past several years, we Americans have been struggling to confront our racial history — frequent cases of police brutality, racist incidents on college campuses, and a controversial presidential election have dominated the national news cycle. As college admission counselors we may find ourselves engaged in these conversations as well (wittingly or not), given the ways in which racism affects a rapidly diversifying student population. For white counselors in particular, these conversations can feel like uncharted territory.
English Language Learners (ELL) taking the ACT will soon be able to apply for testing accommodations.
Starting next fall, students who receive ELL services can ask for additional time on the test and other supports, including the use of a word-to-word bilingual glossary.
President Barack Obama is calling for support of local schools and educators in recognition of American Education Week — a seven-day celebration that runs through Saturday.
In a proclamation issued last week, Obama asked Americans to do their part to help “create opportunities for every school and student.” He also emphasized the importance of creating pathways to higher education for all.
Exercises designed to help teachers empathize with their students may lead to a drop in suspensions, according to a recent study from Stanford University (CA).
Researchers provided professional development to 31 middle school math teachers. Half of the educators were assigned readings that encouraged them to think about the underlying reasons students misbehave in class. The other half read about how technology can enhance learning.
“Students in the group whose teachers received professional development on empathy were half as likely to be suspended over the course of the school year than students whose teachers were in the control group, and the differences remained significant after controlling for race, gender, and other factors,” according to an Ed Week report about the new research.
As opioid abuse rises to epidemic levels, a growing number of US colleges have started to provide sober living options.
According to an article published by Stateline this summer, roughly 150 universities in 49 states now offer housing for students in recovery. As recently as 2012, there were only 35 such programs.
A recent New York Times story says the social media site — a popular networking tool for professionals — is finding its way into the college admission process.
According to the article, some teens are now creating LinkedIn profiles to supplement the materials they send to colleges. They use the site to create a professional-looking resume and include the link on their admission applications.
Educators in south-central Idaho say the state’s direct college admission initiative is working.
The strategy — which involves sending pre-admission notices to qualified 12th graders — was adopted by the Idaho Board of Education two years ago as a way to boost the number of degree holders in the state.
Under the new initiative, students are sent a letter in the fall of their senior year informing them which state colleges they are pre-qualified to attend. The decisions are based on grades and test scores.
President Barack Obama wants young Americans to set their sights on higher education, and he’s asking parents, educators, and community leaders to help.
The commander-in-chief issued an official proclamation last week declaring November National College Application Month.
“This month, we recognize the limitless potential in every student and reaffirm our commitment to offering them the resources they need to succeed,” Obama said in his announcement. “Together, let us forge a future where every student has the opportunity to go as far as their dreams and hard work will take them.”
What does the future hold for colleges seeking to build diverse student bodies?
This summer’s 4-3 US Supreme Court decision in Fisher II provides insight into how the courts may evaluate future cases involving race-conscious admission policies.
The ruling affects public institutions of higher education as well as private institutions receiving federal funding, including student financial aid.
