High School Counselor Week

Congress passes bill criminalizing illicit deepfakes as students are targeted
K-12 Dive – April 29, 2025
President Trump is expected to sign the Take It Down Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill criminalizing the use of artificial intelligence to generate deepfake nude images without the depicted person’s consent. The bill, which passed in the House on Monday in a sweeping 409-2 vote, also states that any person who publishes a deepfake image of a minor would be subject to fines, imprisonment for up to three years or both. Social media and related websites would be required to remove such content within 48 hours of a victim’s notice.

Why judges blocked the Trump admin’s school DEI crackdown
NPR – April 26, 2025
Three federal judges, in Maryland, New Hampshire and Washington, D.C., ruled Thursday that the Trump administration had overstepped when it ordered the nation’s schools to stop all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs as well as classroom teaching the administration might consider discriminatory. For the moment, this means the U.S. Department of Education cannot make good on its threat to punish noncompliant districts by withholding vital federal funding, including dollars that help K-12 schools serve low-income students and children with disabilities.

Gen Z Is Growing Up in Education Upheaval. How Are Teens Doing?
EdSurge – April 24, 2025
Gen Z is in an awkward phase. The oldest of the cohort are in their mid- to late 20s and taking heat for chafing against workplace culture in ways that come off as entitled. The youngest Zoomers, as they’re also known, are around 13 years old and still have years left in public school systems dealing with frequent upheavals due to federal-level uncertainty, politicization of essential services like libraries and ongoing challenges to helping students get on grade level. We looked at the data around Gen Z’s demographics, academics and mental health to see how they’re doing since coming on the scene nearly 30 years ago.

Real College Counseling Season Begins Now—And Is in Trouble
Post – April 30, 2025
Counselors’ Corner with Patrick O’Connor, Ph.D.

Navigating Financial Aid Appeals: A Lifeline for Families Facing Tuition Shortfalls
Post – April 22, 2025
College Advice & Timely Tips with Lee Bierer

2025 School Counselor Report: The state of school counseling in America
YouScience – March 18, 2025
YouScience’s comprehensive 2025 survey of over 300 counselors reveals that despite their dedication, many are overwhelmed by excessive caseloads, escalating mental health responsibilities, and time-consuming administrative tasks. This report aims to inform educators, policymakers, and stakeholders about actionable strategies to support counselors, enabling them to better serve students and enhance educational outcomes. Recommendations for districts include adopting assessment tools, investing in automated scheduling systems and administrative support, and specialized training and support to better equip counselors to support student mental health needs. Counselors can sign up to have the report mailed to download it directly here.

Why counsellors are the ideal role model for students
Times Higher Eduation – April 29, 2025
The intensity of a school counsellor’s daily work often leaves little time and space to reflect on the effect their own behaviour may have on their students. However, counsellors are uniquely positioned to influence young people in a way that parents and teachers are not. As a counsellor, you typically don’t have to handle disciplinary issues or school-related conflicts in the way that teachers do. And students are generally more receptive to your guidance – where they may dismiss their parents’ opinions immediately. To maximise your influence as a role model and ensure your students’ future success, consider focusing on the following key areas…

Is Your Teen Still Unsure Which College?
Parenting for College – April 28, 2025
You’ve visited campuses, read every admissions packet, compared financial aid letters, and heard your teen’s pros and cons a dozen times. But the decision deadline is looming… and they’re still unsure about which college to attend. Now what? First, take a deep breath. It’s completely normal for students to feel overwhelmed or hesitant before committing. The final college decision is a major milestone — and a meaningful opportunity for growth. As a parent, your role isn’t to make the choice for them, but to guide and support them toward confidence. Here’s a step-by-step way to help your teen move from feeling stuck to feeling ready.

Is this controversial policy helping kids — or making school more difficult?
Vox – April 24, 2025
It’s perhaps no surprise that kids need a break. Mental health days — a day off to deal with depression or anxiety, or simply to tend to mental well-being, gained currency among adults during the early part of the Covid-19 pandemic — and they’ve taken off among young people as well, with at least 12 states passing laws allowing excused absences for mental health reasons. But as chronic absenteeism remains a problem around the country, some school officials are worried that giving kids mental health days could encourage an attitude that school attendance is optional.

College Decision Day 2025: 4 Keys To Making Your Best Choice
Forbes – April 29, 2025
May 1, 2025, marks a pivotal moment for millions of high school seniors across America. As National College Decision Day approaches, the Class of 2025—approximately 3.9 million strong—stands at a crossroads with acceptance letters in hand and important choices to make. Degree availability, academic reputation, cost, and location are key factors to consider as you make your choice. With deposits due and futures waiting to be shaped, how do you cut through information overload to make the right call?

When is going to college not worth the money?
CBS News – April 28, 2025
Getting a college education has traditionally been seen as a way to move up the economic ladder. But an analysis by economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that the cost of a degree may not always be worth it. To be sure, the case for attending college remains strong. Another study found that in recent years the typical college graduate with a bachelor’s degree had annual income of roughly 68% higher than those with a high school diploma only. Yet the recent study by the Fed bank suggests a college degree hasn’t paid off for at least 25% of college graduates in recent decades. Here’s when a diploma may not deliver much of a bang for the buck.

Colleges That Offer Rolling Admissions for Students
CollegeRaptor News – April 25, 2025
If a college has rolling admission, it means they review applications as they come in, rather than all at once. This process means you hear back faster, and you could have a higher chance of acceptance if you apply early. Many rolling admission colleges also “roll” your application over to the next suitable semester if you apply too late or after the class is filled. Below, we’ve provided some information you need to know about rolling admission colleges, what their various deadlines mean, and a list of over 750 colleges that accept and review applications on a rolling basis.

7 Ways To Pay for College Without Loans: Smart Financial Alternatives
MSN – April 30, 2025
With the high cost of college, many students are taking out loans. Avoiding loans may be a better option to ease debt after graduation. If you’re wondering how to pay for college without loans, learn more with this guide.

Key money moves ahead of National College Decision Day: ‘It’s not just about the dream school … it’s also about the cost’
CNBC – April 29, 2025
Picking a college is a major decision, but figuring out how to pay for it is an even bigger commitment. Many families are struggling to come to terms with both finding the “right-fit” school as well as wrestling with the sky-high cost and looming student debt balances. And all this while opportunities for federal loan forgiveness are dwindling. To that end, experts share their best advice on how to frame your decision before choosing a school, including coming up with a plan for how to pay for it and factoring in financial aid.

State Aid for College: What to Know
U.S. News & World Report – April 29, 2025
When it comes to reducing the cost of college, students and their families have several funding options to pursue through the federal government, their state or their institution. State aid typically fills in “those gaps between what the federal government and institutions can provide and helps students be able to afford college.” It often consists of scholarships, grants and tuition waivers, while federal financial aid includes grants, work-study and loans. Here’s what to know about state aid, including eligibility requirements and deadlines to note.

Students’ ambitions soar in high school aviation programs
K-12 Dive – April 23, 2025
A variety of career education opportunities nationwide offer high school students opportunities to explore — if not get training in — potential aviation careers, from maintaining equipment to becoming a pilot. The rise of e-commerce and a shortage of commercial airline pilots are two factors creating demand in aviation. But there are challenges for schools interested in building aviation programs, which may not have the access to or finances for resources to offer these courses and training. Districts interested in offering courses in the field should look to local organizations and industry partners to see how they would build out a program and can support it in a way that makes sense for schools and students.

Why Career Exploration Shouldn’t Wait Until High School
EdSurge – April 23, 2025
From the time we’re kids, we’re asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Without real exposure to different career paths or learning about careers they may never have heard of, students often make choices based on limited information, missing out on opportunities that align with their skills and interests. With the rapid evolution of industries and shifting workforce demands, we must introduce career exploration earlier — before students even enter high school.