by Rachel Hector

For vulnerable youth, access to a higher education can be a powerful conduit for eliminating harm and ensuring long-term success and stability. Unhoused and unstably housed youth are at greater likelihood of experiencing significant hardships, with 29% of youth experiencing homelessness reporting having substance misuse problems, 69% reporting mental health problems, 33% reporting having been part of the foster care system, 50% reporting having been involved in the criminal justice system, and 62% of LGBTQ+ youth and 47% of non-LGBTQ+ youth reporting being physically harmed while homeless. …

Forcible displacement is on the rise on a global scale, with the number of forcibly displaced people growing from 41.1 million to 82.4 million since 2010. Individuals and families escaping war, torture, violence and other harms associated with forcible displacement seek safety and security in the United States. Once they’ve been resettled, they are often met with significant barriers to achieving success from securing employment, challenges learning English, accessing safe and affordable housing, cultural barriers and accessing education — particularly higher education.

These challenges, coupled with emerging problems associated with restrictive Trump era policies and a global pandemic, makes it…

To mask or not to mask has become a major dilemma in many states and school districts of late. Some parents demand that schools should require masks while others are vehemently against it, with the conflict even escalating to the level of violence in some cases. But why are parents so worried about masks? They’re certainly less invasive than, say, a vaccine mandate, and they protect children too young to get vaccines. No, they’re not fun, but neither is COVID. Opponents of mask mandates tend to object on the grounds of personal freedoms and parental choice. K-12 students aren’t known…

By Karen Peterson Solinski August 23, 2021

Ms. Solinski represented accreditation on the Borrowers’ Defense to Repayment Negotiated Rulemaking sessions for the U.S. Department of Education that resulted in final regulations effective in 2017 and in 2020.

Borrowers’ Defense is a term noted frequently these days on social media and websites discussing college or higher education regulation. Borrowers’ Defense even recently made national headlines when a federal judge in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education (ED) compelled the deposition of former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos about the handling of Borrowers’ Defense claims during her term in office.[1]…

In the United States, 1 in 54 people are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Students with autism in grades k-12 are protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or IDEA, and provided with an IEP, or Individualized Education Program. However, at the collegiate level, students are no longer afforded an IEP. This, in turn, creates new and uncharted territory for students.

Autism spectrum disorder is considered a developmental condition. It is marked by challenges with social skills, nonverbal communication, repetitive behaviors, and speech; the severity and manner varies by individual. Additionally, anxiety, depression, difficulty with executive functioning tasks, and…

by Rachel Hector for Chicago Education Advocacy Cooperative

As college and university students return to campus for fall, uncertainty and fear concerning the threat of COVID-19 looms over the beginning of the semester. Recently the Center for Disease Control (CDC)published data revealing that the Delta variant strain of the COVID-19 virus is far more infectious compared to other variants even among those who are vaccinated. …

The move to remote learning due to COVID-19 made the disparity between those with good internet connections and those without glaringly obvious. Students without strong internet connections could be left unable to fully participate in classes or complete certain assignments. Public spaces with free Wi-Fi connections or computer stations were an alternative for some before the pandemic but are not a perfect alternative to at-home access. Additionally, while the importance of internet connectivity was exacerbated due to the pandemic, it was essential before. In fall 2018 over 6 million students were enrolled in a distance learning course. …

College remediation rates are staggering. Approximately 60% of community college students and 33% of students at 4-year public college take at least one remediation course. Unfortunately, these courses are not necessarily benefiting these students. Additionally, minority and low-income students are more likely to be placed in remedial courses as a result of enduring an educational system designed specifically for them to fail.

Remediation costs the public and our economy more than we all realize. According to the Center for American Progress’ National Bureau of Economic Research, remedial education costs students $1.3 billion per year. Further, federal financial aid covers up…