High School Counselor Week
Weekly stories, facts, trends, and other information from around the country
.April 30, 2026
Linda McMahon punches back at senators questioning Education Department cuts
NPR – April 28, 2026
McMahon’s first appearance on Capitol Hill in nearly a year was intended to unpack the White House proposal on education spending for the 2027 fiscal year — and gave senators a chance to take stock of McMahon’s actions. Some Republicans cheered McMahon’s changes, like her push for expanding school choice, while many shared the concerns of their Democratic counterparts about proposed cuts to TRIO, a group of federal programs that help disadvantaged students get into and through college.
Recent grads are settling for jobs they plan to leave, research shows
Higher Ed Dive – April 24, 2026
As the job market gets tighter, more people say they entered the workforce using any available foothold rather than waiting for their dream job. Grads are piecing together experience through internships, side work, stepping-stone roles, and even starting their own ventures. With fewer entry-level roles available, their path looks different, but many are finding their way.
Federal Funds for Schools Will Still Flow Through Ed. Dept. System—For Now
The 74 – April 22, 2026
Despite ongoing efforts to transition federal education programs to other agencies, billions of federal dollars for K-12 schools will continue to flow through the U.S. Department of Education’s grant portal this summer. The department is responding to “concerns regarding the July 1 formula grant timeline” for this year by sending those funds through the traditional channel, rather than moving the funds through the U.S. Department of Labor, where most federal K-12 programs are shifting.
Opera, Brooklyn Pizza, Life Partners—The Case for CollegePost – April 29, 2026
Counselors’ Corner with Patrick O’Connor, Ph.D.
Districts Are Investing Billions in School Safety: Here’s What Actually Keeps Students Safe
Learning Policy Institute – April 28, 2026
American schools spend more than $4 billion every year on physical hardening measures, including metal detectors, surveillance cameras, and weapons detection systems, to try to keep students safe. But the evidence that these investments work is thin, and in some cases, evidence shows they may lead to greater harm. In the name of keeping students safe in school, they may unintentionally be doing the opposite: deploying technologies that erode trust, belonging, and psychological security. Meanwhile, research consistently points to a different answer: The most successful strategies to prevent violence aren’t hardware based—they depend on students feeling connected, trusted, and supported. This means focusing on evidence-based strategies.
Helping your kids cope through school, summer
WIBW (KS) – April 28, 2026
Two school counselors offer insights into what’s taking a toll on mental health of young people, and why summer brings its own set of concerns. They offer signs to watch for that could indicate your child is struggling, and practical advice to connect, communicate and support.
Insider Tips on How to Get Off the Waitlist
U.S. News & World Report – April 23, 2026
Be prepared, be thoughtful, be quick. Familiarize yourself with the chosen school’s process and timeline, and follow their instructions exactly. And read your email. Daily
Avoid These Big College Application Mistakes
U.S. News & World Report – April 16, 2026
There are dozens of factors to consider when it comes to applying to college, and there are some big mistakes that college admissions experts say applicants make year after year.
The Hidden Bias in College ROI Frameworks
EdTrust – April 15, 2026
Most ROI models underestimate the value of colleges serving high proportions of students of color and those from low-income backgrounds by focusing solely on graduate earnings and ignoring factors like race, income, and local job markets. Institutions with higher proportions of low-income students tend to show lower ROI outcomes, even when they effectively support student success. But there’s a fairer way to evaluate colleges’ true worth.
How to get into the best college possible and pay the least for it
MarketWatch – April 29, 2026
As soon as May 1 passes, experts like Andy Lockwood turn their attention to juniors who are starting to build their lists and work on their essays. The common goal is to get into the best school possible and pay the least for it. Here are Lockwood’s top 8 pieces of advice to guide parents through the college application and decision process, starting with, “There’s really no correlation between where you go and how successful you’re going to be in life’
What College-Bound High School Seniors Should Know When Looking At Their Financial Aid Award Letter This Year
Investopedia – April 28, 2026
Upcoming financial aid changes may affect how college-bound high school students choose the institution they attend.
Education Department Launches New FAFSA Fraud Prevention Tool
Inside Higher Ed – April 27, 2026
Starting this week, students may encounter a new real-time identity-verification step while filing out the FAFSA as the administration continues to prioritize cracking down on fraud. TApplicants flagged as low or moderate risk will see no change, but those flagged as high risk will be asked to complete a live automated camera check where they present one valid form of government-issued identification. There are a few potential bumps in the process, e.g., that an applicant who gets flagged must have a smartphone or tablet—not a laptop or desktop computer—in order to complete the live verification.
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May College Prep Checklist for High School Juniors
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Tips for Junior Year as a First-Generation Student
Tufts Admissions Blog – April 29, 2026
When I was a junior in high school, I felt completely lost on what to do or where to start. I was a first-generation college student and my parents were unable to support me with the college search process. Everything was new and unfamiliar to me. I truly had no clue what my future would hold. But I made it through and so can you! Here is my guide on how to prepare for the college search process as a first-generation student:
Why emotional disturbance, a special ed category, is a double-edged sword for students
NPR (LISTEN) – April 26, 2026
Differet states use different labels, but every state has a similar special education category. At the federal level, it’s called emotional disturbance: the label for students who need special education services, not because they have a learning or developmental disability, but because they struggle with their emotions or behaviors. For lots of students it provides support and protection, but it may also limit their choices and even change the course of their lives.
Anti-Vaping Advertisements and Lung Injury News Coverage Helped Reverse Trend in Teen Vaping
UC San Diego News – April 24, 2026
Researchers from the University of California San Diego Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science have found that both anti-vaping advertising and widespread news coverage of a lung-injury outbreak tied to vaping — known as e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury (EVALI) — were critical in making 2019 a turning point in youth vaping prevalence in the United States.
Meta’s New Feature Lets Parents See What Their Teens Are Asking AI
Parents – April 23, 2026
A new Insights tab—both in-app and on the web—will now be visible for parents using the supervision feature on Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram. There, caregivers can view what topics their teen has been asking Meta AI on any of the three apps in the last seven days. Meta also says it collaborated with the Cyberbullying Research Center to offer 11 open-ended questions parents can ask their teens about AI use.
Youth Apprenticeships Build a Stronger Bridge from School to Work and Adulthood
The 74 – April 27, 2026
Done well, apprenticeships aren’t anti-college; they allow students to earn while they learn, test their interests in real settings, build professional habits and keep multiple options open all at once.
High School Redesigns Curb Enrollment Loss, Report Finds
The 74 – April 23, 2026
The report attributes such increases to career-connected high schools that not only reflect student interests, but that are popular with both kids and parents. But a ‘critical mass’ of students need to participate in career-focused programs for districts to stay competitive, researchers say.