High School Counselor Week

Supreme Court weighs thorny issues in state transgender athlete bans
K-12 Dive – January 13, 2026
Liberal and conservative justices weighed what a Title IX decision would mean for other areas of education, like remedial classes for underperforming boy

Falling Enrollment Most Extreme in Wealthy Districts, Study Finds
The 74 – January 8, 2026
Whether spurred by pandemic closures or post-COVID frustration, higher-income families are increasingly separating from public schools.

Should schools reveal students’ LGBTQ+ identity to parents? Teachers to ask the Supreme Court to decide
K-12 Dive – January 7, 2026
A legal battle in California could determine whether parental notification of student pronoun and name changes is constitutional.

Increasing rates of student loneliness present challenge for schools
K-12 Dive – January 12, 2026
Increasing rates of loneliness and isolation have become a growing concern for researchers and policymakers in recent years, with some calling attention to the role schools can play in equipping students with the skills to overcome what has been described as an epidemic. One researcher suggests stronger support for social-emotional learning is needed to address the issue for all students.

OPINION: When Immigration Policy Collides With Schools, Students and the Community Suffer
The 74 – January 12, 2026
In December, UCLA researchers John Rogers and Joseph Kahne released findings from a nationally representative survey of more than 600 high school principals. The results are staggering: 70% report that students from immigrant families are expressing fear about their safety and their families’ well-being. Nearly two-thirds report students missing school due to immigration policies and rhetoric. More than a third report bullying and harassment directed at immigrant-origin students. Perhaps most troubling is what a Texas principal shared: Students who had known one another since third grade were suddenly telling immigrant-origin classmates to “go home.” These weren’t strangers. These were peers who had sat together in class for years — until the political climate gave them permission to see their classmates as not belonging. In this age of fear, young people from immigrant families need to know if they are truly being accepted in their school or merely accommodated.

Parental Guidance: How (and When) to Ask for Recommendations
U.S. News & World Report – January 7, 2026
Securing strong letters of recommendation is a critical part of the college admissions process, a way to flesh out an application beyond test scores, GPA and lists of extracurriculars to make the applicant a more complete person for admissions officers they most likely have never met. There are some variables, but whatever the details, asking for them earlier rather than later is key. So we wanted to start the new year off by helping parents of juniors navigate this now.

Teens Are Setting Big Health Goals for 2026—But Parents Should Watch for These Red Flags
Parents – January 7, 2026
On New Year’s Day, my family went around the breakfast table sharing resolutions for 2026. When it was my teenagers’ turn, to my surprise, their New Year’s resolutions centered around nutrition and fitness. I’m very supportive of anything that will keep them healthy. But, I’d obviously hate to see my girls veering off into any obsessive behaviors—which seems all too easy given the influence of social media. To be fair, what we discussed that morning sounded great. Still, I thought I’d talk to some experts about the best ways to show up for them in the New Year, and when to worry they may have taken their resolutions to an extreme.

Navigating the college financial aid process
WKYC Studios (OH) – January 12, 2026
Ron Lieber, a journalist for The New York Times, joined 3News to discuss making college more affordable.

College Fairs Explained—What They Are and How to Get the Most Out of One
International College Counselors – January 12, 2026
Choosing the right college is one of the most important decisions a student will make—and with thousands of options, the process can feel overwhelming. College fairs help simplify that search. Whether held in person or online, these events allow students and parents to efficiently gather information, compare schools, and speak directly with admissions representatives all in one place. Below, we explain why college fairs matter and share practical tips to help you make the most of them.

How is ‘merit’ defined in college admissions? You might be surprised.
The Hill – January 11, 2026
Difficult to define, merit is in the eye of the beholder. As with the Holy Grail, everyone wants to find it, but no two people can agree on what it looks like. Grades and test scores help assess a student’s academic preparation for college, but they are by no means the only criteria admissions officers should use. Admission officers also understand that they do not select individuals in isolation; they are building a class. To make these decisions, admission officers engage in “holistic review, a process that is, by necessity, partly subjective.

Pell Grants Will Soon Help Students Pay for Job Training Programs
Money – January 13, 2026
Pell Grants, which provide federal financial aid to low-income college students, are getting a significant expansion this year. A new grant program called Workforce Pell will open in 2026 to students pursuing short-term job training programs. But a slew of rules intended to protect students and taxpayers, combined with a rapid implementation timeline, could mean relatively few training courses are approved for the 2026–2027 academic year. Here’s what you need to know about the start of Workforce Pell, plus other Pell Grant changes coming in 2026.

Nation Stays On-Track for Record High FAFSA Completion in 2026
National College Attainment Network – January 8, 2026
About 33% of the high school class of 2026 has completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through the end of December 2025. This year’s high school seniors are still on-track to set an all-time high for FAFSA completion. This exciting development is welcome news for anyone who cares about students’ postsecondary futures. FAFSA completion is highly correlated with college going, making the completion rate an important indicator of how current high school seniors are thinking about college.