High School Counselor Week

As deadline for Trump’s colleges compact looms, schools signal dissent
NPR – October 20, 2025
The Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education was sent on Oct. 1 to nine colleges — both private and public — and would require schools to bar transgender people from using restrooms or playing in sports that align with their gender identities, freeze tuition for five years, limit international student enrollment, and require standardized tests for admissions, among other things. Of the original nine schools that received the document, as of Sunday night, six had indicated they are not planning on signing.

Many Young Adults Barely Literate, Yet Earned a High School Diploma
The 74 – October 16, 2025
One in four young adults across the U.S. is functionally illiterate – yet more than half earned high school diplomas, according to recently released data. Education experts blame the overall increase in functional illiteracy in part on poverty and housing instability, a growing population of students with high needs and the pandemic shutdown of schools, which affected some of those in the 16 to 24 year old group. But researchers also believe the data may point to more troubling trends among young adults…

What Admissions Officers Want To See In Teacher And Counselor Recommendation Letters
Forbes – October 20, 2025
The most impactful letters do more than simply attest to a student’s academic abilities or accolades; they tell a story about a student’s self-discovery, learning, and core values. The most impactful letters of recommendation will provide details as to how the student has excelled and grown, as well as illustrating a student’s exceptionality. An applicant’s letters of recommendation provide a third-party perspective on their achievements, values, and unique qualities. We discuss here ways in which recommenders can approach these aspects of the letter.

Mapping Postsecondary Pathways: Understanding State Student College Enrollment Trends
EdTrust – October 16, 2025
Pursuing education beyond high school is one of the most effective ways to acquire the skills and credentials needed to thrive in today’s competitive job market. Without a degree, especially in a weakening economy, many students may struggle to find stable employment and earn a living wage. This brief examines six years of enrollment data (2018-19 through 2023-24) across all 50 states to understand student enrollment patterns and the trends influencing higher education outcomes.

How To Help Your Teen Use Social Media Safely
Parents – October 22, 2025
We put together guidelines for parents of teens who want to find the balance between full restriction and total free rein on social media.

Teens hack school cell phone bans with creative workarounds
Fox News – October 10, 2025
Across the country, schools are cracking down on cell phone use. At least 18 states have rolled out bell-to-bell bans, with New York calling phones “distraction devices.” Teachers are praising the shift, saying classes feel more focused. But teens? They’re not giving up so easily.

The College Majors That Earn You the Most in Life
The 74 – October 16, 2025
What major you choose in college can make a huge difference in how much you earn.

Degrees boost earnings — but field of study matters, report finds
Higher Ed Dive – October 20, 2025
Workers with a bachelor’s degree earn a median annual salary of $81,000, compared to $47,000 for those with only a high school diploma or a GED, according to Georgetown CEW. But for many, the high cost of higher education has made them question whether it’s still financially worthwhile to pursue a college degree.The report also noted a modern anomaly has further skewed that equation — since 2022, recent college graduates have faced higher unemployment levels than workers across all educational levels.

What Is A Liberal Arts College?
The College Investor – October 6, 2025
Liberal arts colleges focus on broad-based learning, small classes, and close faculty interaction. They differ from large universities by emphasizing teaching over research. A liberal arts education builds critical thinking, communication, and adaptability—skills employers consistently value. There are always exceptions to the rules, but here are some of the main comparisons:

How rare are colleges that enroll and graduate high shares of Pell Grant students?
Higher Ed Dive – October 22, 2025
Institutions that serve as “equity engines” for low-income students are sparse throughout the U.S., according to recent research.

FAFSA Income Limits For 2025-2026
The College Investor – October 14, 2025
Many assume that if a family earns “too much,” there’s no point completing the FAFSA. That myth persists because some grants and institutional aid have income limits. But the FAFSA itself does not enforce a fixed income cap. There is no absolute income cutoff for filing the FAFSA and many, even high earners, may receive financial aid or access to federal student loan benefits. However, to qualify for any form of financial aid, you must fill out the FAFSA each year

Colleges are fighting to prove their return on investment
Miami Times – October 12, 2025
For a generation of young Americans, choosing where to go to college — or whether to go at all — has become a complex calculation of costs and benefits that often revolves around a single question: Is the degree worth its price?