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Speeding to a degree: Does a college credential signify ... anything?
A working mom completed a 4-year online degree in 3 months, a master's in 21/2 months, and got a promotion. Problem or solution?

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 213 min read


Mind the gap: 86% graduate in DC, 15% meet math standards
More students are completing high school, but fewer are prepared to learn a skilled trade or pass a college math class.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 132 min read


Vocational students see opportunities in eyesores: 'I could fix that up'
Voc-tech students in Baltimore are rebuilding vacant homes -- and their community.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 122 min read


Speedy 3-year degrees attract frugal students
Does it have to take 4+ years and 120 credits to earn a bachelor's degree?

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 153 min read


Texas: College-prep classes set students up for college failure
Dual enrollment helps Texas students do well after graduation, but taking college-prep classes has no benefit, says a new study.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 252 min read


Inflated grades lead to deflated pay
Students who receive good grades for mediocre work tend to learn and earn less in the long run.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 122 min read


'Disconnected' diplomas are useless
States are dropping graduation exams to hide the failure to prepare all students for work, job training and college.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 51 min read


Plumber or programmer? Trades workers close the job gap
Boilermakers, pipe fitters, electricians and plumbers are more likely to be employed than four-year college graduates.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 12 min read


The future is female in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, law . . .
Most law and medical students are female. Men hold the edge in business and engineering.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 11 min read


Is it time for trade school?
Worried about AI and college costs, young workers are pursuing jobs in the skilled trades.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 31, 20252 min read


Don't learn to code: Stanford grads compete with AI for programming jobs
Even elite computer science graduates are having trouble competing with AI for jobs.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 30, 20252 min read


Know before you go (with federal aid) to high-risk, low-earnings colleges
FAFSA will warn students who apply for aid to attend colleges where graduates earn less than workers with only a high school degree.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 12, 20252 min read


We broke the ladder
Teenagers aren't learning work skills in entry-level jobs. Employers prefer to hire immigrants.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 28, 20252 min read


High schools require too many subjects -- and too little competence
Streamline high school course requirements.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 24, 20253 min read


Visioning synergies in the School of Human Narratives
Corporate blather won't restore faith in higher education, argues an English professor whose department may be merged into Human Narratives and Creative Expression.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 22, 20253 min read


Idiocratic education
Relying on AI to do the math for you is "a recipe for idiocracy."

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 20, 20253 min read


Ford can't find mechanics for $120K: It takes math to learn a trade
Ford can't find auto mechanics -- for $120,000 a year. Most high school graduates don't know enough math (or read well enough) to succeed in job training.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 17, 20252 min read


Why are we sending illiterate high school grads to college?
If "open access" colleges raised standards, would students work harder to qualify?

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 3, 20252 min read


It's not a crisis: Students are saying 'no' to low-value colleges, low-pay majors
College enrollment remains strong at high-value colleges, but young people are wary of colleges and degrees that are unlikely to pay off.

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 11, 20252 min read


High schoolers are earning career credentials, but most have no value
Most career credentials offered in high school will not lead to a career, or even an entry-level job, but may provide an easier path to a diploma.

Joanne Jacobs
Sep 22, 20252 min read
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