Daily Lumina News 031523

Lawmakers in several states are considering measures to restrict spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at public colleges, including cultural and academic programs to support underrepresented students and curriculum that reflects a diverse society.
But how many colleges are actually working on these efforts, and how effective are they? A recent study offers clues.

Rarely is there an opportunity for a simple policy change to create a “win-win-win” by benefiting multiple stakeholder groups at the same time.
Yet, advocates say this is the case with “skills-based hiring,” which focuses on the actual skills and qualifications someone brings to the job instead of just the degree they’ve earned.

The impact of the pandemic has changed the lives of young people across the country, leaving many students disengaged, disconnected, and struggling with mental health issues.
Author and clinical psychologist Lisa Damour breaks down the continuing pandemic-related challenges facing today's teenagers and the implications for colleges and universities.

Millions of immigrants are either unemployed or underemployed in the United States today, representing a largely untapped but robust pipeline of potential learners and employees.
There is one key challenge, however: Many of these individuals need help with their English skills. Four-year universities and community colleges can play a crucial role in changing their trajectory, writes Katie Brown of EnGen in this op-ed.

Many students face a multitude of barriers on their path to a college degree, especially given the hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new online, publicly accessible database of student success programs at public colleges and universities in Texas aims to help.

More than a dozen medical schools and some 40 law schools no longer provide information to U.S. News & World Report for its rankings of colleges. More recently, three undergraduate colleges and universities announced their exit from the controversial rankings, as well.
Are these unique anomalies or the start of a movement? Education leaders and policy experts weigh in.