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Blue-collar jobs are unfilled, but young Americans don't have skills
Demand is high for skilled technicians and manufacturing workers, but few high school or college graduates are qualified.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 26, 20251 min read


Learn to plumb: New grads are competing with AI for coding jobs
College graduates are having trouble finding entry-level jobs in computer science and finance. Some blame AI.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 6, 20252 min read


Many pathways to a diploma, but are students really prepared?
Washington state traded its exit exam for multiple graduation pathways, but still has 20% of students who aren't on track for a diploma.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 5, 20252 min read


Does college pay? Yes for nursing, engineering and econ, no for 31% of programs
Lifetime return on investment for a Stanford English degree is less than $24,000, just under $4 million for a chemical engineering bachelor's.

Joanne Jacobs
May 31, 20252 min read


Gen Z wants work to be fulfilling and flexible -- and they don't like deadlines
College students want fulfilling, flexible jobs with no deadlines and plenty of "self-care days."

Joanne Jacobs
May 25, 20252 min read


What's next for high school grads? Fewer choose college, more are 'working toward a career goal'
Fewer high school graduates are enrolling in four-year colleges, and more say they're "working toward a career goal."

Joanne Jacobs
May 24, 20251 min read


If AI is doing all the thinking, what's college for?
If a bot does the work for your college degree, the bot will get the job.

Joanne Jacobs
May 8, 20253 min read


Disgruntled graduates: 36% say college was 'a waste of time and money'
College graduates are questioning the workforce value of their degrees: Half of Gen Z grads see college as a "waste of time and money."

Joanne Jacobs
May 3, 20252 min read


Advanced math -- AP Calculus or AP Statistics -- leads to higher pay
AP Statistics students earn almost as much as AP Calculus students eight years after college.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 30, 20253 min read


As 'career tech for all' spreads, Alabama offers a 'workforce diploma'
Alabama's new "workforce" diploma will prepare graduates for jobs or community college, but not for selective universities.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 29, 20252 min read


If manufacturing booms, will we have enough job-ready workers?
If the U.S. rebuilds it manufacturing base, can it also rebuild the pipeline of skilled workers?

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 29, 20252 min read


Is college worth it? Young males are opting out
Young Americans -- especially males -- see college as a high-cost, high-risk choice.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 28, 20252 min read


Hammer drops on student loan defaulters: No delays, no mercy
After five years of deferrals and loan forgiveness, the federal government wants student borrowers to pay what they owe.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 24, 20252 min read


Covid broke public schools: Let's build a 'future-ready' system
Education's "new normal" is horrifying. Let's build a new education system out of the ashes.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 17, 20252 min read


Silicon Valley runs on Asian tech talent: 66% of workers are immigrants
Two-thirds of Silicon Valley tech workers are immigrants: Half were born in Asia.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 15, 20251 min read


College and career success for all
Even college-focused charter schools are urging students to consider a range of career and post-high school options.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 11, 20252 min read


Is a college degree worth the cost? 45% say 'no'
Americans think college costs too much and want more focus on preparing students for jobs.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 20, 20241 min read


Apprenticeships are in demand, but employers are wary of red tape
Everybody loves apprenticeships -- except for employers, who are nowhere near meeting the demand for learn-and-earn jobs.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 19, 20242 min read


A's in English but he can't read: Deaf student wants job training, given a diploma instead
A deaf student with 3rd-4th-grade reading and math skills was given high grades and a diploma, ending special-ed services.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 6, 20242 min read


Edumania! McMahon is tapped as education secretary
Pro wrestling executive and former Small Business Administration chief Linda McMahon will be the next and possibly last Education...

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 21, 20242 min read
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