posted on
Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News and Analysis
Are the Democrats done with education reform? That’s the question a lot of people are asking in the wake of a few recent education events. It’s a question that gets bloggers and insiders fired up for sure to cheer or jeer. But the death of the Democrats on education reform is likely exaggerated. (U.S. News)
A new report from the White House Council of Economic Advisers finds the growing stack of $1.3 trillion in student debt is helping, not hurting, the U.S. economy. The 77-page report, which backs up its claim with studies from economists and academics, largely divides borrowers into two groups: dropouts and graduates. (The Wall Street Journal)
Ceasing need-blind admissions is a politically tenuous move for colleges and universities — need-blind policies, associated with meritocracy and equal opportunity, cut to the heart of institutional values that many students, staff and faculty hold dear. (Insider Higher Ed)
The U.S. Department of Education has adopted a new set of policies to improve student-loan servicing, the agency said in a news release on Wednesday. In a memorandum, the department said it would work with the Treasury Department and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to improve student-loan servicing systems to protect borrowers and help them avoid defaulting on loans. (The Chronicle of Higher Education)
Vermont has become the first state to provide publicly funded pre-kindergarten programs to all 3- and 4-year-olds as of this month, state officials say. The law requires Vermont communities to offer at least 10 hours a week of free, high quality preschool for 35 weeks per year to children in that age group. Previously, some districts offered publicly funded preschool voluntarily. (WRAL)