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'One Big Book' doesn't seem like much
Reading "One Big Book" over a semester won't be too hard, English professors tell college students. It's "deep reading."

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 62 min read
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It's AI all the way down: Colleges are using AI to screen applications
When AI reads college application essays, "it doesn't get grumpy" or "have a bad day," says Virginia Tech vice provost.

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 22 min read
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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
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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
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Only disconnect: Students need offline learning spaces
College students need internet-free spaces where they can read, write, talk, think, play and sleep.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 26, 20251 min read
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Studying the humanities is hard, and that's a good thing
Professors won't persuade students the humanities are relevant and practical. Tell them "all things excellent are as difficult as they are rare"

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 17, 20253 min read
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Greatly reduced expectations: Students read few 'whole books' or none at all
Reading excerpts in English class, but few whole books, leaves many unprepared to read "lengthy or complex texts" in college.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 16, 20253 min read
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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
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Dubious disabilities: 'It's rich kids getting extra time on tests'
At elite universities, growing numbers of students receive special treatment for ADHD, anxiety, depression and other conditions now considered disabilities.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 3, 20253 min read
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Resist the AI apocalypse: Students want to be 'capable humans, independent thinkers'
Humanities professors can teach students to resist AI cheatbots and learn to read, write, converse and think.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 2, 20252 min read
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US colleges rely on foreign students to pay the bills, staff research labs
International students play a key role in university research and tech entrepreneurship -- and their tuition keeps colleges open.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 30, 20252 min read
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High schools require too many subjects -- and too little competence
Streamline high school course requirements.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 24, 20253 min read
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C students will get automatic college admission in California
It's easier to apply to college, as less-selective schools try to "put butts in the seats." But are high school graduates prepared?

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 23, 20252 min read
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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
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Idiocratic education
Relying on AI to do the math for you is "a recipe for idiocracy."

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 20, 20253 min read
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Unready or not, they're going to college
A third of high school graduates (or less) are ready for college math and reading, but a majority will enroll in four-year colleges.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 13, 20252 min read
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UC San Diego adds remedial class in elementary and middle-school math
Without SAT or ACT scores, University of California at San Diego is seeing a "steep decline" in academic readiness.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 12, 20252 min read
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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
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Racial preferences by other names
"Socioeconomic" preferences often help low-income blacks, but low-income Asian Americans.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 2, 20252 min read
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Harvard students fear tougher grading: 'I skipped classes and sobbed in bed'
Harvard students are distressed by the prospect of tougher grading standards.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 1, 20252 min read
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