The U.S. Department of Education is providing $21 million in grants for coaching, workshops, and scholarships to help hundreds of Washington, DC, middle schoolers persist through high school and prepare for college.
Admissions & Outcomes Archive
Students are seizing the strategic opportunity presented by test-optional policies, research suggests
New research shows that college applicants are selective in deciding when to submit standardized test results to schools that don’t require them, opting to withhold low scores and trusting that they will not be penalized.
Are ‘Gen P’ students prepared for college? Are colleges prepared for them?
Most of this year’s college applicants started high school at the height of the pandemic, and admissions teams say that a “perfect storm” of factors is complicating efforts to evaluate students’ readiness.
SAT score gaps reveal deeper inequality in education, opportunity
A New York Times story exploring students’ SAT results by income level shines a light on “the deep inequality at the heart of American education”—economic disparities that leave children from the most underserved neighborhoods without the tools they need to succeed.
Putting college within reach for rural students
Students from rural communities face multiple barriers to higher education, including long commutes, financial strain, and a lack of academic support. New programs are finding ways to shrink those obstacles.
‘Am I really wanted here?’ A new college guide aims to provide answers.
The Hechinger Report has created a “first of its kind” college guide to help students explore schools based on state laws, policies, and other indicators of campus culture—factors that could affect how welcoming an institution feels for a particular student.
‘College comeback’ program forgives debts so students can finish their degree
Following a successful pilot year, the Ohio College Comeback Compact is drawing national attention for its collaborative approach to re-enrolling students who have “stranded credits”—academic credits they have earned but cannot access due to an unpaid balance.
Georgia joins growing number of states trying direct admissions
Georgia has launched a new direct admissions program, which aims to increase college access by telling students that colleges are “holding a spot” for them and making it easy to apply.
New regulations promise to help students avoid programs that leave them with ‘poor career prospects’
The Department of Education will require college career programs to disclose earnings outcomes for graduates and reveal if they leave students with unaffordable amounts of student loan debt.
HBCUs see surge in applications from students seeking belonging
After the Supreme Court decision ending race-conscious affirmative action, Historically Black Colleges and Universities are expecting an ongoing influx of applications.
Course structure, instructors key to student success
Two new studies show that specific instructional practices and small changes in course structure can close grade gaps among underrepresented students.
With new formula, some movement within U.S. News & World Report rankings
U.S. News & World Report’s updated grading system places more emphasis on student outcomes, bringing some colleges closer to the top of the list, while others sank.