High School Counselor Week

Their value attacked and funding cut, universities and colleges start fighting back
The Hechinger Report – January 27, 2026
A new ad initiative is part of a small but growing response by the higher education industry to more than a decade of plummeting public confidence and falling enrollment followed by a year of political attacks against which insiders and advocates concede it has until now been mostly silent. But even the marketers emphasize this isn’t just a marketing problem. Higher education has to understand why people have lost faith in it, they say, and address those issues.

As student enrollment declines, a look at public school closures
K-12 Dive – January 22, 2026
We’re tracking districts’ plans to shutter or consolidate schools amid enrollment pressure from falling birthrates and growing school choice.

Education Department halts effort to implement controversial anti-DEI letter
K-12 Dive – January 22, 2026
The U.S. Department of Education on Wednesday stepped back from its attempts to enforce a controversial and sweeping anti-DEI Dear Colleague letter issued nearly a year ago.. In that policy letter the ED said some schools’ race-based equity programs discriminate against White and Asian students and could result in their federal funding being withdrawn. In abandoning its appeal, the agency signaled that it’s effectively stepping back from trying to enforce the policy.

When I Was in High School, Mentoring Changed My Life. Now, I Do the Same for Other Kids
The 74 – January 23, 2026
Though many students desperately need trusted adults outside their families who can offer guidance, perspective and encouragement, research shows that Gen Z is less likely than previous generations to report having had a mentoring relationship. This is not because students lack interest. They simply don’t know what mentorship is supposed to look like or how to find it. That was my experience. As a high school student, I did not know mentorship was something I could seek out. It entered my life because adults noticed my curiosity, followed up and encouraged me to stay connected. This National Mentoring Month, here’s some of what I learned about reaching out and helping young people reach their full potential.

How to help students find out who they want to be
Times Higher Education – January 22, 2026
One of the most significant challenges I have faced as a counsellor has been supporting students who have had little to no exposure to work experience, job shadowing or real-world career environments. Many are high achievers who perform well across all subjects, while others genuinely struggle to articulate their interests, values or strengths. As a result, they find it difficult to answer the foundational question: “Who am I, and what do I want to become?” For me, a turning point came when I pursued formal training and certification as a career development facilitator, which shifted my approach. Over time, I developed what I refer to as a self-assessment portfolio, which has become the starting point of my counselling journey with every student before discussing majors, universities, rankings or study destinations.

Online Programs at Community Colleges: What to Know
U.S. News & World Report – January 27, 2026
Community colleges have traditionally served local students, but online programs are changing that. Fully online options are expanding flexibility and redefining how students access community college credentials. Students can still have access to campus life and services, and programs are aligned with local workforce needs, which helps with job searches.

Two recent college graduates have a message to their 17-year-old selves: Don’t go it alone
The Hechinger Report – January 27, 2026
It wasn’t easy to get to college in the first place, let alone graduate. Our senior year of high school was abruptly upended by the chaos of the pandemic, The odds were against us even before then, The pandemic only deepened those disparities. And yet, we made it. Our story isn’t just one of hard work, though there was plenty of that. It’s also a story of support. If we could speak to our 17-year-old selves, stuck behind computer screens during lockdown, we’d start here: Find your mentor, or champion. They might be a family member, teacher, coach or counselor. You’re going to need help, and the sooner you ask for it, the better.

The Other Kind of Summer School
U.S. News & World Report – January 22, 2026
This is the time of year for younger students to apply to pre-college programs. Many universities offer opportunities for kids as young as seventh graders to visit their campus, take specialized classes and generally get them invested in higher education as a real option down the line. The programs can be quite different. Some are free, while others are expensive. Some offer course credits. In-person and online options abound, as do residential and commuter choices. Some are explicitly designed to help students whose families are less fortunate. Many provide academically challenging and specialized programs in fields like math and science. All of them help the kids who attend learn about college.

How to Pay for College
Money – January 27, 2026
Going to college has a ton of benefits — it’s fun, educational and can lead to a roughly $30,000 annual earnings premium for people who graduate with bachelor’s degrees, government data shows. But it is also undeniably expensive. Don’t know where to start? Our guide covers 11 strategies to help you pay for college.

The Cost of an Online Bachelor’s Degree
U.S. News & World Report – January 27, 2026
Online learning often provides busy students – juggling work, family or other responsibilities – a flexible way to earn their degree. It’s important to note that colleges differ in their approaches to online learning, but online learners enrolled at an accredited institution are eligible for the same federal financial aid as on-campus students. Here’s what to know about the differences between earning a bachelor’s degree online and in person.

How To Avoid College Scholarship Mistakes When You Apply
The College Investor – January 25, 2026
College scholarships are one of the best ways to pay for school, but these common scholarship mistakes are costing students thousands of dollars.

8 Surprising Degrees You Can Earn Online
U.S. News & World Report – January 27, 2026
Some majors that seem too hands-on for online study are now available in online formats, expanding options that students may not expect. With scores of options ranging from turfgrass science to professional flight, there’s probably an online program for you.